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EXETER — MMI and Wyoming Area came into Thursday’s girls volleyball match with different but important aspirations. The Preppers are contending for a berth in the District 2, Class A playoff, while the Warriors are looking for some respect.
Both teams took major steps toward accomplishing their goals.
Senior middle hitter Brone Lobichusky blasted 20 kills to lead MMI to a hard fought 3-0 victory by scores of 25-21, 30-28, 25-23.
The victory enabled the Preppers to remain in contention with three teams in the Lackawanna League for a spot in the district playoffs.
Wyoming Area (2-6) played arguably its best match of the season by battling MMI tooth-and-nail in all three games. The Warriors pushed the Preppers to the limit by holding an 18-12 lead in game two, but were unable to stave off a late charge by MMI.
The Warriors also had a chance to take game three, but the Preppers finally prevailed 30-28 behind a brilliant performance by the 5-foot-11 Lobichusky, who also had three blocks and five service points.
“This is one of the best games we’ve ever played, even though we didn’t win,” said Casey Bohan, a 5-11 Wyoming Area senior who played a nearly flawless match. “We’re making progress from last year, when we only won once. We have two wins this season and played a very good game today.”
MMI showed a lot of grit by rallying from an 18-12 deficit to win the second game 30-28, sealing the deal on a kill by Lobichusky. She also had the winning kill in game three.
Bohan said Lobichusky took charge when it counted the most.
“Brone is a very good hitter. She’s an excellent player who has good court awareness and a powerful swing.”
The Warriors hurt themselves by letting MMI off the hook in game two, Bohan added. “Sometimes when we get a lead, we have trouble holding onto it, which is what happened today.”
MMI coach Bruce Young had high praise for Bohan, who almost single-handedly kept the Warriors afloat throughout the match.
“I knew she was a good player, but I didn’t realize she was this good,” Young said. “She hadn’t gotten a lot of publicity, but she played great.”
Wyoming Area coach Lisa Day was pleased with her team’s effort.
“It was a good match. Both teams played really well. Casey and Brone really played great games.”
MMI also got strong performances from setter Lainie Titus, who dished out 27 assists, and Diana Anthony, who notched six kills and four aces.
Anthony helped set the stage for Lobichusky’s match-winning kill with a high, arching serve that resulted in a Wyoming Area defender tipping the ball over the net and into her hands.
“Anthony’s our most level-headed player,” Young said. “She has great instincts and she doesn’t get frustrated.”
Kelly Klaproth added nine kills and three blocks for Wyoming Area, Allisa Dennis had four kills and one block.
Lobichusky enjoyed the challenge of going up against Bohan,
“It was really fun. I wish we could have spent more time on the front row.”
GAR 3, Valley West 2
GAR pulled out a five-game victory over host Wyoming Valley West on Thursday in Wyoming Valley Conference volleyball action winning by scores of 19-25, 25-20, 13-25, 28-26, and 15-13.
Kellie Yekel had 13 service points, 15 assists and 18 kills to lead the Grenadiers, while Brittany Snopek had14 assists and Felicia Blaum added10 kills.
Heather Pieszala notched 15 service points and 16 kills to lead the Spartans. Dawn DiMaria recorded 17 assists and Shawna Soppeck notched 13 kills for WVW.
Hazleton Area 3, Meyers 0
Hazleton Area swept the Mohawks on their home court 25-12, 25-19, 25-13 for the win. Kristen Lewis led the Cougars with four kills, three aces, and 10 digs. Jess Thorne added five kills, one ace, and seven digs, and Robin Diana contributed 10 digs for Hazleton.
For Meyers, Maddie Lavery had three aces, four kills and one block, while Tara Sauchak had seven digs, one ace and two kills and Julie King contributed three assists, four digs and an ace.
Abington Heights 3, Tunkhannock 0
Abington Heights won a highly-contested match with victories of 25-23, 25-21, and 25-19. The Comets’ Meghan Fraley provided 13 service points and 16 assists. Her teammates Maggie Fruehan (10 kills, 8 points) and Shelby Morgan (6 kills, 5 blocks) contributed strong efforts.
Tawnya Gordon led the Tigers in a tough loss with 17 assists, and four service points, while Ashley Zalewski added nine kills, seven points, and three digs.
Crestwood 3, North Pocono 0
Carina Mazzoni tallied 34 assists and 12 service points to lead Crestwood past North Pocono. Kayla Jeckle had 11 kills, 10 points, and seven digs for the Comets, while Jordan Pickering added 17 kills, five digs, and two blocks.
The Comets won in convincing fashion by scores of 25-12, 25-16, and 25-19. For North Pocono Molly Morrell had three kills, and Katie Jacobs totaled 7 assists.