Liberty, Notre Dame-Green Pond post statement victories
There were messages sent backand-forth over the volleyball net recently. Upstart teams looking to send notice and top teams looking to show that they are not going anywhere.
In the most recent volley, teams on top were able to deliver their message in pretty uncertain terms.
Liberty and Pleasant Valley both sent a message to upstart Easton, which opened the season with wins over Bethlehem Catholic, Freedom and Whitehall. The Red Rovers’ uprising was led primarily by senior Olivia Keckler who had 49 kills in the three wins. After being swept in straight sets by Pleasant Valley, the Rovers went to Liberty High School to face the Hurricanes. Dealing with losses from last year’s roster, Liberty came into the season with some question marks.
Liberty swept Easton to move on to 5-0 with just two dropped sets in its five matches. The Rovers still figure to be in the mix for a spot in districts after falling just short in 2022.
Allentown Central Catholic (5-0 EPC, 5-0 overall), Parkland (4-0, 5-0), Liberty (4-0, 5-0), and Pleasant Valley (4-0, 5-0) are the early leaders with undefeated league records in the EPC.
There was another battle for control in the Colonial League where Northwestern Lehigh hosted Notre Dame-Green Pond. The Tigers were locked out of the two-team league playoff bracket last season as Southern Lehigh and the Crusaders battled for league supremacy. Northwestern wanted to take the next step, starting with a game against Notre Dame and came out strong to win the first set and take an early lead in second. The Crusaders answered the challenge and went on to a 3-1 win.
“I think we sent a bit of a message,” Notre Dame coach Sarah Wukitch said. “It shows that we’re not afraid to fight back and we have what it takes to win those tough matches.”
Karly Campbell and Abby Calon both stepped up for the Crusaders and both knew that the match was important not just in standings but to make a statement.
“It was a gut check for us,” Campbell said about having to fight from behind. “All of us wanted it and we worked together and pulled through. Even when we were behind and then when it was really close, I think we knew we had each other and we kept pushing.”
Calon, who brings steady confidence to the Crusaders, has not forgotten that last season Northwestern beat Notre Dame in the Crusaders’ gymnasium and wanted to return the favor.
“We are really here to play, and we want to get back into this,” Calon said. “It’s especially hard to know what you are getting into at the beginning of the season. We are really excited about this season and it’s exciting to get this win early in the season.”
Because the Colonial League has just seven schools participating in girls volleyball, only a regular-season league champion and a wild card team make the league playoffs. It appears there may be some disappointed teams as things stand pretty tightly packed. Southern Lehigh (3-0, 5-0) and Notre Dame (3-0, 3-0) are the only teams without a loss in league play, but Saucon Valley (2-1, 2-1), Northwestern Lehigh (2-1, 2-3) and Catasauqua (2-2, 2-4) are all hanging around.
Looking ahead
Central Catholic and Parkland meet Wednesday in a key EPC matchup and in nonleague play, Emmaus (3-1, 3-1) travels to Pleasant Valley. The Colonial League schedule opens with a premier match between Southern Lehigh and Notre Dame and also has Saucon Valley, another team looking to make a statement, hosting Northwestern who then has to visit Southern Lehigh.