TimesLeader.com

H.S. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Lehman downs Hazleton Area in five games

By Van Rose vrose@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter

LEHMAN TWP. – Fortunately for Lake-Lehman, senior middle hitter Ellen Matza elevated her play when it mattered most in Thursday’s match against Hazleton Area.

The 5-foot-11 senior middle hitter had 14 kills and four blocks to lead the Black Knights to a 3-2 victory over the Cougars. The scores were 25-22, 25-19, 13-25, 22-25 15-10.

Perhaps most important, Matza made an impressive play that enabled Lehman to take a 4-0 lead in game five. After a Hazleton Area defender blocked one of her shots, Matza managed to keep the ball alive and get it back over the net.

And then she defended the return shot by the Cougars and turned it into a kill.

“They were defending really well and they put a good block on my shot,” Matza said. “When they put the ball back over the net, I just tried to hit it to the open spot, and it worked.”

Lehman (12-6) widened its lead to 5-0, but Hazleton Area (9-9) narrowed the margin to 12-10 on a Kristin Lewis slam. The Black Knights forged ahead 14-10 another Matza kill, and sealed the deal at 15-10 on a service point by Tiffany Oplinger.

“We played well, but Hazleton did a good job of finding the open spots,” said Matza. “They had some strong hitters and played excellent defense.”

Lehman won the first two games, but the Black Knights seemed out of rhythm when Hazleton Area won game three, That may have been because only the seniors played in that game.

“We weren’t used to playing together, but I think it was a great idea to let them play because it was Senior Night,” Matza added.

Coach Kevin Koziol brought back his starters in game four, but the Cougars won 25-22 behind the strong hitting of senior middle hitter Michele Vowler. She led Hazleton Area with 15 kills, including her 200th career slam, and 26 digs.

Vowler was thrilled to reach the milestone.

“It feels great, I’m really proud of myself,” Vowler said. “We played our hearts out, but we let the match slip away.”

The Cougars lost a key player when Megan Baranko was forced to leave with an ankle injury early in game four.

“I went up for a hit and landed on someone’s foot,” Baranko said.

Lehman got a strong effort from senior middle hitter Caitlyn Gashi, who had six kills. Oplinger added six kills and three blocks.

“Hazleton has a good team – better than I expected,” said Gashi. “They gave us a run for our money.”

Gashi is confident that the victory will give the Black Knights extra momentum when they face Tunkhannock in the opening round of the district playoffs on Monday.

“We expect to contend for the championship. We have good vibes.”

Pittston Area 3, Nanticoke Area 1

Paula Stravinski led Pittston Area to victory with 13 assists, 11 service points and four kills.

The scores were 25-13, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19.

Beth Yuschovitz notched 11 digs and seven service points, while Emily Ginochetti added 16 service points and 14 digs. Lisa Ostrander had four kills and three points. Amanda Gretz tallied nine kills. Brianna Dushok had seven service points and six kills.

Kelly Leitzer had 11 kills for Nanticoke.

Coughlin 3, Wyoming Area 1

Coughlin overcame a setback in the third game to defeat Wyoming Area.

The Crusaders won the first two games 25-23 and 25-12 before pulling out the fourth 25-19. Wyoming Area won the third 25-21.

Sarah Martin had in 29 digs, 12 kills and 10 points to lead Coughlin. Jessica Cleary contributed 23 digs and nine kills. Courtney Phillips added seven digs and five points.

Wyoming Area’s Casey Bohan had 19 kills, while Kelly Klaproth added 14 service points and 11 kills.