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Prep volleyball: Port handles Assumption
By Mark Massoglia
Daily Tribune Staff
mark.massoglia@cwnews.net

Port Edwards hasn't been pushed too much this season.

But Assumption gave the Blackhawks a solid test by pushing the Blackhawks to a four-game set in a nonconference volleyball matchup on Monday night.

After breezing to a 2-0 lead, Assumption forced a fourth game with some spirited play, only to watch the Blackhawks regroup and finish with the victory, 25-19, 25-22, 15-25 and 25-14.

" We had to step it up after the third game," said Port senior outside hitter Kandi Zellner, who had 14 kills in the match. " Everyone stepped up and we pulled it off."

Port, which improved to 13-2 on the year, jumped out to big leads in both of the first two games and held off the late rally by Assumption in the second game.

" We started slow, so I switched a few things for the third game and it gave us the spark we needed," Royals coach Shannon Shaw said. " We played as well as we are capable of in the third game, but then Port really picked it up in the fourth game."

The Blackhawks' other statistical leaders for the match were Ashley Miller with 29 assists and Sammi Rehberg with eight digs.

" I thought we started out strong, but Assumption came back and played a very good third game," Port coach Lisa Miller said. " The fourth game the girls really started to play ball and it was good to see them finish the match off.

" Assumption played great defense the whole match. They were digging some big shots from our hitters."

The atmosphere for the non-league contest of the two river cities was almost of playoff caliber as both sides boasted a large student-body crowd.

" We play club volleyball with some of the girls on Assumption's team, so it was fun to play them," Zellner said.

Liz Sigler led the Royals with 13 digs, eight assists, seven kills and two aces, while Mary Parmeter finished with 12 digs and eight kills. Jada Straub had 17 assists and 11 digs, and Kayla Sigler had six kills.

While the game meant nothing in terms of conference standings, it was an important one in terms of playoff seeding as the Blackhawks and Royals could meet in the WIAA postseason next month.

Both teams return to conference action tonight with Port hosting Marion and the Royals traveling to Pittsville.


Port Edwards' Hannah Bray spikes the ball past Assumption's Christa Scherwinski, left, and Morgan Hartness during a match Monday at Assumption. DOUG ALFT/Daily Tribune