Spring Grove's young volleyball team remains undefeated, sweeps Dallastown
Look out Division I, Spring Grove girls' volleyball is a team on the rise.
The young Rockets and their lone senior — Laken Bankert — are 3-0 this season after sweeping division rival Dallastown, 25-19, 25-18, 25-20, Thursday night.
After jumping out to a 15-7 lead in the first game, the Rockets (3-0, 2-0 YAIAA Division I) held off a furious Wildcats rally. Dallastown battled back to take a 17-16 lead, but Spring Grove closed on a 9-2 run to pull away.
The second game was dominated by Dallastown (0-2, 0-2 YAIAA Division I) in the early stages. But after going down 9-2, the Rockets responded with a 16-3 run and rolled to a 25-18 win.
"I want them to remember that," Spring Grove head coach Dawn Myers said of her team trailing 9-2 early in the second. "I want them to remember they were down, but that they didn't quit, and they were able to come back by staying calm, focused and confident. They were able to shake off their mistakes quickly."
The Rockets have built up their resiliency. They trailed at times in their wins against Hanover and New Oxford, and even when they trailed Thursday, they didn't panic.
"We were very calm and collected on the court," said Bankert, who racked up four kills, six digs and one ace. "We came in and knew what we had to do, knew who we were facing. We found their weaknesses and rolled with them."
Coming up short in Game 1 and blowing a big lead in the second seemed to sap the Wildcats' confidence. Other than a late rally, Spring Grove dominated the third game. The Rockets were all smiles, celebrating their 3-0 start at midcourt with hugs and high-fives.
"It's a big deal for us," Myers said of the win. "We have one senior, so it's a real confidence booster to get this one under their belt."
With the win, Spring Grove remains tied atop the division with perennial powerhouse Central York (2-0, 2-0 YAIAA Division I). It's a position not many expected the Rockets to be in after losing all-star Mia Bennett to graduation.
"You go in to a season, and you always know there are going to be some surprises — some good, some not," Myers said. "This season we've had good surprises, good energy and good focus. These girls are just realizing how well they can play, so hopefully we can keep it up."
Spring Grove def. Dallastown 25-19, 25-18, 25-20 at Dallastown
Spring Grove stats — Laken Bankert (4 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace), Josie Attig (1 kill, 12 digs, 1 ace, 17 assists), Morgan Bair (8 kills, 2 digs, 2 blocks, 1 ace), Alyssa Carbaugh (5 digs, 1 ace), Autumn Leese (5 kills, 5 digs, 1 assist), Alyssa Micik (1 kill, 2 digs), Lexi Yingling (9 digs, 3 aces, 1 assist).
Dallastown stats — Emma Mason (3 digs, 3 aces, 26 assists), Toni Cappas (11 kills, 4 digs, 4 aces), Paige Childs (6 kills, 1 ace, 1 dig, 3 blocks), AJ Hale (1 dig), Tessa Myers (3 kills), Kat Forry (18 digs), Lauren Cooksey (4 digs), Dalaney Kolb (2 kills), Olivia Terroso (7 kills, 1 dig, 1 block), Anne Bobin (1 kill), Koby Duke (1 dig).
JV Score — Dallastown def. Spring Grove, 2-1