GIRLS VOLLEYBALL: Chambersburg uses big runs to down Greencastle-Antrim

CHAMBERSBURG >> The Chambersburg girls volleyball team admittedly doesn't have its timing down quite yet.

But in a gritty and scrappy match with Greencastle-Antrim on Monday at the CASHS Field House, the Trojans were able to make plays when it mattered most.

Chambersburg used a big run in each set to pull away and sweep the Blue Devils, 25-21, 25-15 and 25-20, in a non-league match.

"I think that's a testament to these girls," Chambersburg coach Ty Frelin said. "They really stepped up and played well, even though we may not have been in line with our communication."

Greencastle (2-1) had control for most of the first set, using strong defense to keep the ball in play and build up a 19-14 lead.

Blue Devil coach Corry Eagler said, "I think both teams just kind of came out calm and relaxed without much adrenaline, and that played in our favor, but once they picked up the energy level, we didn't really answer."

It took them a while, but the Trojans (3-0) finally got it going late in the first set. Jenna Lombardozzi, who led the team with 18 service points and six aces, helped Chambersburg rattle off nine straight points to go up 23-19, and Caitlin Vrabel and Cara Long followed with kills to give the Trojans the first-set victory.

Vrabel, Long and Lauren Diller all finished with nine kills, and Vrabel and Long combined for seven blocks.

"They frustrated us a little bit early in the first set," said Diller, who had four kills in the first set. "Then I think we realized that we had to step it up and play as a team. When we get a kill and get on a run, we have the ability to keep it going."

Greencastle trailed just 10-8 early in the second set, but the Trojans went off for eight straight points to pull away. They had a six-point run in the third set to help close out the match.

"They had an answer for us every time we got going, but unfortunately we didn't always have that answer," Eagler said. "We had some very nice defensive moves, but there are certainly things we can get better at."

For the Blue Devils, Sydney Shepherd led the team with six kills and 11 digs, and Keri Gearhart had four kills and six blocks.

"Greencastle did a nice job tonight, but we have some communication stuff that we really just haven't had much time to work on," Frelin said. "I don't think we passed to the best of our abilities, but we were able to make adjustments and get the win."

NOTES >> Chloe McKenzie finished with 16 assists for the Blue Devils, and Gearhart had three aces ... Chambersburg setter Lauren Ching, who was playing in just her second match as she recovers from a back injury, had three aces and 10 service points to go along with 34 assists.

Chambersburg 3, Greencastle 0

Sets — 25-21, 25-15, 25-20

at Chambersburg

Greencastle Statistics

Kills — Sydney Shepherd 6, Keri Gearhart 4; Blocks — Gearhart 6; Assists — Chloe McKenzie 16; Digs — Shepherd 11; Aces — Gearhart 3.

Chambersburg Statistics

Kills — Cara Long 9, Lauren Diller 9, Caitlin Vrabel 9; Blocks — Vrabel 4, Long 3; Assists — Lauren Ching 34; Digs — Danessa Martin 13, Kailey Layman 12; Service points — Jenna Lombardozzi 18, Ching 10; Aces — Lombardozzi 6, Ching 3.