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Lake-Lehman setter Sarah Sorber leads Black Knights to win over Abington.
Sarah Sober of Lake Lehman punches the ball back into the out stretched arms of Abington Heights volleyball players Maggie Fruehan, left, and Lizz Emmett during the first game.
PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER
CLARKS SUMMIT—When Sarah Sorber moved up to the Lake-Lehman girls volleyball team varsity two years ago, she was reluctant to take over the role of setter.
The reason was simple. She replaced her sister Hannah, who was a two-time all-star at that position and helped put girls volleyball back on the map at the school.
“I really didn’t prefer to be a setter because I didn’t want to follow my sister,” said Sorber. “I just had to do the best that I can.”
Sorber has proved to be more than up to the task.
Last week she notched her 1,000th career assist, and on Monday she dished out 18 assists as the Black Knights posted a 3-0 victory over Abington Heights. The scores were 25-21, 25-17, 25-15.
“I think she’s been a terrific setter,” said Lake-Lehman coach Noah Pickett. “She’s very vocal with her teammates—always cheering them on. She’s always making noise when the team is quiet.”
Pickett said it didn’t take long for Sorber to make her own mark.
“Halfway through the first year, she pretty much came into her own as a sophomore,” he added. “Once she steps on the court, she’s nothing but a leader and hustler, and she’s definitely a team player.”
Sorber credits her teammates for much of her success.
“We’re working together as a team,” she said. “Hopefully, we’ll keep picking up momentum.”
No one has benefited from Sorber’s skills more than all-star middle hitter Leanne Grabski, who led Lake-Lehman with six kills and one block Monday.
“We all trust her,” Grabski said. “We know that no matter who the opponent is, Sarah will come through.”
The Black Knights (10-2) started slow against Abington Heights, They were a bit lethargic in game one, before taking a 24-21 lead on a slam by Brooke Matza.
Lake-Lehman picked up its intensity in games two and three, keeping the Comets (7-4) at arms length. They opened a 19-12 lead in game two on a wicked blast by Grabski, and took a 7-4 lead in game three on a Grabski block.
Catherine Sullivan also stepped up for the Black Knights, posting five kills and four straight service points in game one.
However, the Comets had their moments.
Sophomore Maggie Fruehan had an eye-popping block against Grabski, and senior middle hitter Lizz Emmett posted a dazzling kill in game three.
Emmett, a 5-foot-8 senior, paced Abington Heights with eight kills, two blocks and three service points. Kaleigh Namiotka had 11 assists, one kill and one block, while Meghan Fraley had five service points and five assists.
“Emmett is a nice hitter,” Pickett said. “She hits hard, but we were able to dig up some of her shots. We tried to keep the ball away from her as much as possible.”
Hazleton Area 3, Wyoming Area 0
Winning by scores of 25-12, 25-21, 25-12 the Cougars were led by Jenny Wiseman (3 kills, 4 blocks 4 aces), Courtney Schoenberger (3 kills) and Lindsay Boranko (20 assists).
The Warriors got stellar performances from Chrissy Williams (3 aces 2 kills), Kasey Bohan (6 kills, 10 digs) and Allisa Dennis (2 kills).
Delaware Valley 3, Wyoming Valley West 0
The Warriors picked up the 25-10, 25-9, 25-14 victory as Chelsea Malzahn tallied seven points, six kills and three blocks. Emily Dorko (11 points, 8 kills, 10 blocks) and Becca Battersby (11 points, 11 digs, 2 aces) also helped DV win.
For the Spartans, Abby Collins (5 points, 3 digs), Emily Wallitsch (11 digs) and Emily Repshas (7 blocks) contributed.
Holy Redeemer 3, Hanover Area 0
The Royals won by scores of 25-5, 25-7, 25-9.
Brianna Dugas (7 kills, 3 points, 3 digs), Megan Kazmerski (5 kills, 12 points, 3 aces), Kate Senunas (9 points, 1 ace) and Monica Wignot (10 kills, 15 points, 4 aces, 2 digs) all had a nice match for the winners.
Crestwood 3, Tunkhannock 0
Kayla Jeckell (8 kills, 5 blocks, 12 points), Cheyenne Dudley (5 kills, 5 blocks) and Alyssa Hartranft (26 assists, 12 points, 4 blocks) all contributed as the Comets pulled out the 25-15, 25-18, 25-23 victory.
For Tunkhannock, Kerri Kotch (8 kills, 10 points, 5 aces), Sara Petokas (8 kills, 6 points, 1 ace) and Megan Sargent (3 kills, 7 points, 1 ace) contributed.
Nanticoke 3, MMI 0
Megan Thomas had seven kills and three aces to lead Nanticoke to victory over MMI by scores of 25-20, 26-24, 25-23. Amy Robocheski pitched in with 16 assists, two kills, three blocks, two digs and two service points.
Pittston Area 3, Meyers 0
Amanda Gretz had 11 service points, two digs and one kill as the Patriots defeated the Mohawks by scores of 25-12, 25-7, 26-24. Paula Stavinski had 15 service points, two kills and five assists, while Lisa Ostrander had five kills, 11 service points and three digs.
Maddie Lavery paced Meyers with four kills, six service points and two blocks. Katelyn Krebs had 16 digs, and Krystal Betz notched three kills, three blocks and seven service points.