Pioneers ease past Faith Christian
The Faith Christian volOHybDOO WHDP iV FRnfiGHnW they can get to every ball. With one back row player diving left and the other moving right, somehow Christopher Dock was still DbOH WR finG VSDFH Rn WKH Lions’ side.
The Pioneers’ placed serve after serve in the perfect spot. The well-placed attack allowed them to VZHHS WKH LiRnV 3-0 (252, 25-10, 25-21) Rn FriGDy night.
“WH FDn GHfiniWHOy OHDrn IrRP WKiV,” LiRnV’ FRDFK Jessica Jarratt said. “We are seeing a lot more movement on the court. We are learning how to move strategically and our communication is improving.”
BHIRrH WKH LiRnV FRuOG side out the home team, CD KHOG D 22-0 OHDG in game one. Standing behind the service line for the Pioneers for the first 22 SRinWV ZDV VHWWHr AVKley McGarrity. The junior rHFRrGHG 12 DFHV bHIRrH the Pioneers rotated and IiniVKHG ZiWK 15 DFHV Rn the evening.
“AVKOHy iV RnH RI Rur strongest servers,” Pioneers’ coach Trish Hoover said. “She hits locations really well, which is what our focus was tonight.’”
It l ooked as though McGarrity had been working on her overhand j umper for years, but i n actuality, i t has been t hree years s i nce she played t he s port. Spending her first t wo years in high school at Central Bucks South, McGarrity did not play volleyball.
“I started playing four years ago, but stopped and started again this school year,” McGarrity said. “I always have had a decent serve. And this is my first time setting too. At first it was overwhelming, but now I am used to it and our team passing is getting much better. I love the girls and I love the coach.”
Seeing McGarrity at tryouts was exciting news for the Pioneers, who are trying to return to the District 2QH CODss A sHPLfiQDOs. Adding McGarrity, as well as other strong players, to go along with captain Kait Miller has given the Pioneers a lot of hope for a strong end to this season. Miller, a senior outside hitter, collected eight kills and six aces in the win over the Lions.
“We made some good additions to the team,” Hoover said. “Ashley, who is new to the school, and our freshman Lanae (Hunsberger) have been doing some good things. We are GHfiQLWHOy D EHWWHr WHDP than we were last year. Hopefully we can have a better outcome in the playoffs this season.”
The Lions picked up their play as the night progressed and the young team forced the Pioneers to take a timeout in game three with the score sitting at 20-19. While the Pioneers were DEOH WR fiQLsK RII WKH sZHHS, it was another encouraging effort for the young Lions’ club.
“We are mostly sophomores and we are learning as we go,” Jarratt said. “It is amazing to see their development and to help them grow as women. I love these girls and love their heart.