F-F H.S. Highlights: Shalom, CVC head to volleyball semis
Both Cumberland Valley Christian and Shalom Christian are headed to the Mason-Dixon Christian Conference semifinals after a pair of wins in girls volleyball matches on Tuesday night.
The Blazers (11-8) made it through the MDCC quarterfinals with a straight-set sweep of Shenandoah Valley, 25-17, 25-16, 25-22.
Mackenzie Householder had nine aces and 17 assists, while Brianna Miley led the offense with nine kills. She also had five aces.
“The girls really stepped up their serving game tonight and kept SVCA from developing a rhythm to win in three straight sets,” CVC coach Carole Rosenberry said. “I was very pleased with the way the girls played as a unit tonight.”
Shalom (15-3) kicked off the playoffs with a challenge, as Calvary took the Flames to the wire on the first two sets, but Shalom came out with the three-set victory, 25-22, 25-21, 25-14.
The team was led by Haley Bricker with 21 kills and 10 digs in just three sets. Bricker also had an ace and two blocks. Kylie Eby had 28 assists and two aces.
Both teams will face semifinal matchups on Friday. CVC will face No. 1-seeded Heritage, and Shalom will head to Grace Academy.
BOYS SOCCER
Shalom 5, Heritage: Shalom Christian's boys soccer team also punched its ticket to the Mason-Dixon Christian Conference semifinals with a win over Heritage.
A hat trick by Chase Martin propelled the Flames (15-3) to victory. Martin’s efforts were aided by Peter Livermore and Ian Shank who each had goals in the game.
“We played well tonight, especially with a few guys coming back from injuries,” Shalom coach Chris Lehman said. “I liked our passing and movement in the final third and we had some great combinations.”
Shalom will host Calvary in the semifinals Thursday.
Broadfording 4, Cumb. Valley Christian 0: The Blazers were blanked in the quarterfinals of the MDCC tournament by No. 2 Broadfording. The Lions scored all four goals late in the first half. Eli Black had 10 saves in goal for CVC, which finishes the season 4-13.
Lower Dauphin 4, Greencastle 0: Despite trailing by just a goal at halftime, Greencastle-Antrim was overpowered by Lower Dauphin in the Mid Penn Conference semifinals.
Just ten minutes into the second half, Timmy Townsend scored his second goal of the night - this time on a penalty kick - and the Falcons never looked back. Luke Romanoski and Jackson Becher added insurance goals late in the game.
Bryson Robinson had six saves for G-A (13-6), which still awaits its playoff fate. The Blue Devils are currently eighth in the unofficial District 3 Class 3A power rankings.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Greencastle 3, James Buchanan 0: Despite no longer being in the same division, Greencastle-Antrim and James Buchanan played a meaningful match on Tuesday night, with the Blue Devils coming out victorious.
Heading into the match, G-A was ranked 16th to JB's 17th in the District 3 Class 3A rankings with the top 16 teams advancing. But with the three-set, non-league win, the Blue Devils (10-8) have all but secured their spot, having moved up to 13th with one match remaining. The Rockets fell to 18th.
The Rockets (12-8) gave Greencastle a run for its money in the first set, falling just 25-21, but the Blue Devils closed out the match with a pair of dominating wins, 25-11 and 25-13. Keri Gearhart led the Greencastle offense with 16 kills, while Chloe McKenzie smacked nine aces.
SCORES
Girls volleyball
McConnellsburg 3, Tussey Mountain 1: After losing its first match of the season, McConnellsburg got back on the winning track with a 3-1 SHL/ICC victory over Tussey Mountain. The Titans came back to win the third set 25-23, but the Spartans (14-1, 9-0 SHL, 7-0 ICC) gathered momentum to take the fourth set 25-14. Kacey Hann and Carly Swope led the offense with 15 kills each. Swope also had 26 digs.
“Tussey played well tonight,” McConnellsburg coach Heidi Johnston said.”We played a little down. We’re lucky to pull it out in four.”
So. Fulton 3, Fannett-Metal 0: Southern Fulton claimed two decisive sets before taking a SHL/ICC win over Fannett-Metal, 25-12, 25-11, 25-22. Madison Breeze led the Indians (5-10, 3-6 SHL, 3-5 ICC) with eight kills, while Katie Rosenberry had two aces for the Tigers (1-18, 0-9 SHL, 0-7 ICC).
Girls soccer
Carlisle 3, Chambersburg 0: Despite holding a 9-8 edge in shots on goal, Chambersburg was shut out by Carlisle in a Mid Penn Commonwealth Division game. Caitlin Masaberg had five saves for the Trojans (5-12, 1-11 MPC).
St. Stephens & St. Agnes 5, Mercersburg: Mercersburg fell 5-0 in a non-league game against St. Stephens & St. Agnes.
Field hockey
Big Spring 4, Greencastle 0: Big Spring’s Brooke Roberts found the back of the cage midway through a Mid Penn Colonial game, and dominated the game’s momentum from then on. Despite 12 penalty corner attempts, Greencastle (9-8, 7-5 MPC) could not capitalize.
“We were unable to refocus and transition from defense to offense,” Greencastle coach Rebecca Rice said. “We let the game slip away from us.”
Belleville Mennonite 3, Forbes Road 1: Forbes Road could not stop Belleville Mennonite’s Leah Peachey, who scored all three goals in a Keystone League game. Mara Broadwater scored the lone Cardinal goal, while Zoe Cutchall had an excellent day in the cage. Despite letting three goals by, Cutchall had 19 saves in goal. The loss marks the first Keystone defeat of the season for Forbes Road (11-5, 8-0 Keystone).
“Zoe Cutchall had an awesome game,” Forbes Road coach Carol Cline said. “Forbes was also missing four starting players today.”
Girls tennis
Mercersburg 10, Grier 1: Mercersburg nearly swept Grier in a non-league match, losing just one doubles set early in the match. The Blue Storm (7-2) swept the singles competition, losing just 17 games through eight sets.