Huntingdon 3, Tyrone 1

The Tyrone Lady Eagles volleyball team had their winning streak of three games come to an end on Thursday, September 17,  falling to the Huntingdon Bearcats in a 3-1 set game.

Coach Kraft and the team were disappointed in the outcome. While the team has improved greatly this season, they are still young and developing and that showed on Thursday against the Bearcats.

“We weren’t prepared for the match mentally. It was our first big and most meaningful game,” said head coach Michael Kraft, “Huntingdon never quit and never felt inferior to us.”

“We shouldn’t have lost that game,” said Maddie Veit, “mentally they’re better than us, that’s the only reason they won.”

The Lady Eagles fell in the first set of 25-19 and was up in the second set 14-7 but fell to lose it at 25-20. The Eagles won the third set 25-21 but lost the fourth 25-12.

Lea Crofcheck let the stats with 12 digs and 6 aces and Anslee Walk had 27 digs.

“Physically Huntingdon isn’t as good as us,” said Lexi Cannistraci, “we have the physical ability to beat them and any team in our league.”

Cannistraci leveled out at 4 kills and 3 blocks. Carly Crofcheck had 10 assists.

“We lack the tradition and culture it takes to win big games like that. Having said that, we didn’t play well at all. It’s tough for any team in any competitive sport if your strongest players all struggle,” added Cannistraci.

“It was definitely hard passing because their best hitter number twelve always hit short, tipped, or rolled,” said Walk, “but we should have adjusted to beat them.”

Emily Fusco has returned from her sickness, causing her to miss several games.

“It was great to be back, I really missed the game and competing with my girls,” said Fusco.

“Coming off a week-long illness and battling the way she did should prove to her coaches and teammates who she is as a person, teammate and competitor,” said Kraft.

The Lady Eagles are currently 4-1 in conference play and 4-2 overall.

Tyrone 3, Clearfield 1

The Lady Eagles bounced back from a tough loss against Huntingdon to soar over the Lady Bisons after a struggling first set of 27-25.

“Our serving proved to be dominate last night. There were 33 aces for us in four games, which is a full game and 8 points,” said Kraft.

Lea Crofcheck dominated in service points with 15 aces.

“I thought about how bad I wanted to win that game,” said Crofcheck, “I just went back there, focused, and succeeded.”

The Lady Eagles defeated Clearfield in the next three sets with each set being 25-8, 25-12, and 25-14.

Maddie Veit had 7 kills and 9 aces and Lexi Cannistraci had 9 kills and 2 blocks.

“We definitely stepped our game up,” said Cannistraci, “I wanted to beat them so bad. Carly had great sets and it made mine and the other hitters jobs easier to get kills.”

Carly Crofcheck had 20 assists.

“We play Philipsburg on Thursday who is also 3-1 in the league just as we are,” said Kraft. “They are a solid team and traditionally we don’t beat teams like Philipsburg.  but I think we’re ready to prove something.”