Close call
Warren avoids Thursday upset to advance to D10 final
Photo courtesy of Mark Evans Warren's Julia Getner gets a spike to fall in between a Fort LeBoeuf block and the net during Thursday's District 10 3A semifinal at the Hagerty Family Events Center in Erie.
Photo courtesy of Mark Evans Warren's Hailey Cabisca gets a spike over a Fort LeBoeuf block during Thursday's District 10 3A semifinal at the Hagerty Family Events Center in Erie.
Photo courtesy of Mark Evans Warren's Attie Corey reaches for a ball during Thursday's District 10 3A semifinal against Fort LeBoeuf at the Hagerty Family Events Center in Erie.
Photo courtesy of Mark Evans Warren's Julia Getner gets a spike to fall in between a Fort LeBoeuf block and the net during Thursday's District 10 3A semifinal at the Hagerty Family Events Center in Erie.
Photo courtesy of Mark Evans Warren's Hailey Cabisca gets a spike over a Fort LeBoeuf block during Thursday's District 10 3A semifinal at the Hagerty Family Events Center in Erie.
Photo courtesy of Mark Evans Warren's Attie Corey reaches for a ball during Thursday's District 10 3A semifinal against Fort LeBoeuf at the Hagerty Family Events Center in Erie.
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ERIE -- Warren survived a pre-Halloween scare Thursday evening as the Dragons narrowly escaped the Fort LeBoeuf Bison 19-25, 24-26, 25-21, 25-21, 15-9 in the District 10 3A semifinal volleyball matchup at the Hagerty Family Events Center.
Beating a quality team such as the Bison is no easy accomplishment, and that proved to be true for the Dragons.
"It was a game of resilience," Warren head coach Mike Dolan said. "Obviously we were struggling with some errors especially early on and in the middle of some of the sets, but
gotta love that the Dragon players always seemed to find a way. They supported each other out there on the court, communicated, encouraged each other and showed how mentally tough they are together."
The third-seeded Bison came out hot in the first set. Both teams had their series of service and unforced errors, but the second-seeded Dragons proved to be a little more critical. Fort LeBoeuf managed to take an 18-15 lead and never look back. Up 24-19, the Bison had four chances to win the set, but needed just one serve that hit the top of the net and rolled over into Dragon territory with no one there.
The second set was a rollercoaster of emotions. Lead changes, unforced errors and superb rallies found the Dragons and Bison stalemated at 22 apiece. Warren's Hailey Cabisca and Brooke Sherry had a series of kills to allow the Dragons two chances at taking the set, and tying the match. Unfortunately for the Dragons, the Bison were resilient as they took the next three points, then made the most out of their rally to take the set and put the match at 2-0 via an ace.
The third set once again had fans on the edge of their seats. In a must-win set, Warren got out to a quick 15-8 lead, but the Bison weren't going away that easily. They managed to rattle off an 11-1 run to take a 19-16 lead and had the Dragons with their backs against the wall, or so it seemed. Down 20-17, Warren fought tooth and nail and found themselves with a 23-20 lead. The Dragons successfully closed out the set to extend their season.
Set four was essentially a carbon copy of the third. It took 21 points from both teams for Warren to finally break free. Addison Ristau had a critical save that led to a Dragon point, followed by a Hailey Cabisca kill to take a 23-21 lead. A Bison error would give Warren two chances at taking the set. Cabisca clinched the fourth set with an impressive kill to set up a fifth and final 15-point set.
The 15-point fifth set started off in an unfavorable fashion for the Dragons as they found themselves down 4-0. A Julia Getner kill followed by an ace and a kill from Hailey Cabisca got them back on track. The Bison maintained a 7-3 lead, but Attie Corey took control. A kill, and ace, and two more kills enabled the Dragons to take an 8-7 lead and never look back. Now up 14-9 with four chances at completing the reverse sweep, outside hitter Hailey Cabisca got the final kill to earn the comeback.
Coach Dolan was very complimentary of his players' ability to battle back.
"Addison Ristau stepped up with some great reads on defense, she passed great in serve receive and had some key serving runs," he said. "Malysia (Sorensen) does what she does so well, it almost gets taken for granted but her all-around game is so key for us. Brynn (Norris) did a fantastic job running the offense, and made key defensive plays as well. The middles, Attie (Corey) and Julia (Getner), both had some huge moments at the net and Attie with some key serves in the last set. Our pin hitters, Hailey (Cabisca), Lara (Pearson), Peyton (Cabisca) and Brooke (Sherry) continue to put pressure on the other team’s defense and had some big swings once again."
Stats from the win are as follows: Ristau 14 digs and two aces; Sherry six kills and two aces; Pearson 12 kills and two blocks; Norris 43 assists, 20 digs and three blocks; Hailey Cabisca 18 kills and 17 digs; Malysia Sorensen 30 digs; Corey 11 kills, three aces and three blocks; and Getner six kills and three blocks.
The Dragons now face No. 1 Corry at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday back at the Hagerty Family Events Center. They are also guaranteed at least two more games. Even if they lose, Warren plays the District 9 champion Clearfield next Thursday.
"Every person on the team contributed and supported each other and that will be key as we head to the finals next week," Dolan said.