AJ Abington Heights

November 11, 2009

Lady Comets take title

By Adam Roberts aroberts@theabingtonjournal.com

COVINGTON TWP. - For the past three years Abington Heights High School has squared off with Delaware Valley for the District II Class AAA volleyball title. After repeatedly falling short against the Warriors, the Lady Comets rallied to win the championship 3-1 at North Pocono High School on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Maggie Fruehan led Abington Heights with 17 kills, 9 points and eight digs as the Lady Comets avenged an Oct. 26 loss to the Delaware Valley.

Emotions ran high as Lady Comets took the first game 26-24 and then lost the second 20-25.

“The number one thing is emotion,” Abington Heights coach Dan Phillips said. “We had it and we knew we could do it.”

In a back-and-forth game three, the Lady Comets came out victorious 31-29, causing a massive momentum shift in their favor.

“Their emotion was low and ours skyrocketed,” said senior Meghan Fraley of game three. Abington Heights went on to win the final game 25-20.

The Lady Comets had strong performances across the board, cementing them as the most physically gifted team that Phillips said he has ever coached.

Fraley ended with seven points, four digs and 35 assists. Liz Jamison added seven kills, 13 points and five aces.

Phillips said he saw an impressive effort from his entire team at the title game, but gave credit to Fruehan, Nichole Heil and Justine Leininger for their passing.

“That’s where it all starts from and the hitters use what they get,” Phillips said of his passers.

A win over Delaware Valley was long coming for the Lady Comets.

Both Fraley and Heil called the win unreal. While clutching the District II Championship plaque, Fraley even joked she may sneak it home.

Heil said since she joined the team two years ago, there was always an emphasis on defeating their volleyball rivals.

“We didn’t just say we need to beat them—we actually beat them,” said Heil, who had five points, 11 digs and one assist.

The rivalry with Delaware Valley is one of respect for Phillips, who said he looks up to Warriors coach Bridget Crawford. Even with his high opinion of the opponent, Phillips said the victory was huge for his team.

The Lady Comets began state competition on Tuesday, Nov. 10, against Hatboro-Horsham at Nanticoke at 6 p.m.

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