Skip to main content

Susquehannock volleyball rebounds from Game 1 defeat to knock off Gettysburg


Gettysburg rolled into Susquehannock High School on Thursday evening and took the first game of their YAIAA Division II girls' volleyball match.

Susquehannock then rebounded from its rocky start to reel off three straight games, however, remaining undefeated in divisional play with a 17-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-13 win over Gettysburg.

"This team plays steady," said Susquehannock coach Darla Pennewill. "They are very level-headed as a team. After the first set, we needed to make a few adjustments. Once we changed some things and began mixing up our shots, hard shots, soft shots, I think that kept (Gettysburg) on their heels and helped."

Susquehannock and York Suburban entered play on Thursday as the remaining unbeatens in Division II while Gettysburg fell to .500 in the division after six matches.

"Suburban has a lot of big girls," said second-year Gettysburg coach Brandon Dinges. "I wouldn't imagine seeing them anywhere else but near the top. Susquehannock is right there too, but then again, if we can keep playing the way we are, I don't see why we can't be up there too."

Susquehannock (6-1, 5-0 Division II) twice used a long string of service points to put away games in the match. In the third game, sophomore Amber Bortner reeled off 13 consecutive points on serve to break a 1-1 tie. Gettysburg rallied back late to close within two points at 23-21, but a kill by junior Gabee Ogude finally provided the winning point.

"Amber comes in off the bench and does a nice job for us defensively," Pennewill said. "She has nice hands. She was on in this match and that's what we know she can do. It clicked for her then and it was nice to see."

The following game, senior Laura Savin served up seven straight winners to extend a 7-6 Susquehannock lead to 14-7. Gettysburg could not close the gap and an ace from Savin during her next service series ended the match.

Susquehannock got strong play up front from Ogude and senior Abby Ferraro. The two had a match-high 10 kills each. Sammi Faloon also tallied 10 kills for Gettysburg.

"Gabee and Abby both had nice matches offensively," Pennewill said. "Once we made the adjustments, they did a nice job. We were able to run our offense, our setter was on and had all her options. That is the thing about this team. We don't have to rely on one person. We were able to mix it up."

Gettysburg (4-3, 3-3 Division II) extended a 12-10 lead midway through the opening game and pulled away for the eight-point win.

"I think it is one thing we have to overcome," Dinges said. "We have to finish when we have the lead. I thought we did a good job of coming back in a few of those games. The third set was 25-22 and we tried to use that momentum heading into the fourth set."

Susquehannock def. Gettysburg, 17-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-13 at Susquehannock

Gettysburg stats — Emma Harvey (2 aces, 24 digs, 3 assists), Lauren Guise (6 digs), Sarah Fossett (1 kill, 2 digs), Sammi Faloon (10 kills, 3 blocks, 1 dig), Olivia Faloon (19 digs, 1 assist), Melanie DuBois (8 kills, 5 blocks, 1 dig), Shelby Briggs (2 kills, 1 dig), Myla Manahan (1 ace, 11 digs, 21 assists), Morgan Mayers (2 digs), Jess Sandoe (9 kills, 2 aces, 22 digs, 3 assists).

Susquehannock stats — Kelly Franz (1 kill, 20 digs, 1 block, 37 assists), Laura Savin (2 aces, 13 kills, 22 digs, 1 assist), Amber Bortner (8 aces, 18 digs, 3 assists), Gabee Ogude (10 kills, 1 dig, 3 blocks), Abby Ferraro (1 ace, 10 kills, 14 digs, 1 block).

JV Score — Susquehannock def. Gettysburg, 25-22, 24-26, 15-12..