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DISTRICT 2 CLASS 2A GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

November 6, 2009

Holy Redeemer reigns once again

Royals make quick work of previously undefeated Dunmore to win D2-2A crown.

By Van Rose vrose@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter

NANTICOKE – How high is the confidence level of the Holy Redeemer girls volleyball team?

It may be off the charts, considering the Royals had snazzy T-shirts proclaiming them as district champions printed up before Thursday’s match against Dunmore.

And they didn’t waste any time putting them on after demolishing Dunmore 3-0 in the District 2 Class 2A championship match in a battle of unbeatens at Nanticoke High School.

The scores were 25-10, 25-8, 25-10.

Holy Redeemer (21-0) captured its third straight district crown to advance to the state playoffs. The Royals will square off against District 4 champion Towanda in opening round play at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Wyalusing High School.

As scary as it may sound, the Wyoming Valley Conference champions appear to be improving with every match, and Thursday was no exception. The Royals looked like a college team while dominating the Bucks (18-1) on both sides of the net.

“Everyone on our team stepped up,” said 6-foot-2 senior middle hitter Monica Wignot, who posted 28 kills and three blocks. “Dunmore did a good job of digging up our shots, but we just kept pounding.”

Once again, Wignot was unstoppable. She consistently hit rocket shots from all angles of the court. Whenever the Bucks were able to dig up a shot, Wignot managed to score off the return.

“Our passes were good and the sets were excellent,” Wignot said. “Our defense was outstanding; it was just as good as our hitting.”

The Royals’ hitting kept the Lackawanna Conference champions on the run throughout the match. Senior outside hitter Maura McCormick had 10 kills, two blocks and six service points, and senior middle hitter Kristen Bell had nine kills and a pair of blocks.

“Our defense also was great,” said McCormick. “We flew around the court really well and got to all of their tips.”

McCormick came away with a special feeling of accomplishment.

“Myself and Kristen finally filled some big shots on offense,” she said, referring to Brianna Dugas, an all-star last season as a senior who was Redeemer’s second-best hitter.

Bell played above the net Thursday and delivered several wicked slams. Sometimes, she gets lost in Wignot’s shadow.

“The sets were really good,” Bell said. “Mary (Loughran) definitely did a good job of getting the ball high in the air, and I was able to swing down.”

Bell is an unsung hero for the Royals, according to coach Jack Kablick.

“She’s the ultimate team player,” Kablick said. “Kristen is a great hitter. She would be a star if she played on any other team in the league.”

Dunmore is one of the best teams that the Royals have played, Kablick added.

“Any team that can beat Crestwood 3-1 is really good. Their defense was outstanding, but our power just wore them down.”

Loughran dished out 28 assists, while Julia Wignot notched 19 service points.

Nicole Korgeski paced the Bucks with five kills and 10 digs. Colleen Carr added four kills, while Kimberly Dempsey had nine assists.

“Wignot was phenomenal,” said Dunmore coach Sue Dempsey. “We played well for a young team, but she overpowered us.”

Bell predicts big things for the Royals.

“I think we’re going to win the state tournament. We played a lot of the power teams in the Pottsville Tournament and held our own.”

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