Falcons defeat Guards in first playoff match
By Nathaniel Underwood
The fifth-seeded Abbotsford Falcons volleyball team advanced to the second round of the WIAA playoffs after sweeping the 12thseeded Washburn Castle Guards at home on Tuesday night. While the visitors were able to stick around at points during the match, the Falcons’ serving and better offensive firepower allowed them to pull away at key moments in each set, leading to a comfortable 30 win.
Despite the final score, it took a little bit for the Falcons to settle into the match, falling behind 8-1 across the first few rallies. However, thanks in part to some tough serves from Celia Schindler, the home team was able to go on a huge 10 point run to bring themselves back into the game. The two teams battled back and forth, heading into the final few rallies tied 20-20. Abbotsford took control in the end, scoring the final five points to take the set 25-20.
The Castle Guards managed to hold on in the opening of the second set. After an ace from Schindler put the Falcons up 7-4, the visitors went on a 4-0 run to retake the lead 8-7. However, that lead was short lived, as a kill from Schindler ended the Washburn run and tied the game. Caylee Clement delivered an ace on the next play, taking the lead back for the Falcons for good.
While Washburn managed to tie things back up at 10-10, a big run by the Falcons in the midgame would give them control over the set. A 6-1 stretch gave Abbotsford the largest advantage of the game, capped off by two aces from Riley Podevels. The home team continued to lay down the pressure, not allowing the Castle Guards to get comfortable on offense and doubling them up over the final stretch of the contest, outscoring Washburn 9-4 and going up 2-0 in the match as Clement delivered the game winning ace at 25-16.
The third set played out similarly to the second to start, with the two squads trading small leads but neither able to take a big advantage over the other. Once again, a big run in the midgame would prove to be the difference maker. A kill from Schindler would put the Falcons up for good at 10-9, but it would be an impressive serving performance from Faith Sperl that would allow the Falcons to run away with their third victory.
With the junior setter on the service line, the Falcons would go on to score 11 straight points. Seven of those points came straight off of Sperl’s serve as the Castle Guards’ back line struggled to get a good read on her delivery. Kills from Marilyn Hammock and Reece Nelson kept the streak going even when Washburn managed a return and by the time the visitors were able to stem the bleeding, the Falcons had taken a 22-10 lead in a game that had once been close. Sperl ended the run with four straight aces, putting an exclamation point on the Falcons’ impressive day from the service line. Nelson finished the job with a kill that gave Abbotsford the 25-12 victory and pushed them on to the second round.
A familiar foe will await them there, as the Falcons will have to travel to take on the fourth-seeded Rib Lake squad on Thursday, Oct. 24. The last time the two Marawood-North squads faced off, Rib Lake got the better of the engagement, sweeping Abbotsford 3-0. The Redmen finished with a 23-13 record in the regular season but finished fourth in the conference after going 3-2 against Marawood-North opponents. The start time for the round two matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m.
PERFECT TIMING - Riley Podevels connects on a fast set from Faith Sperl, getting the kill against Washburn on Tuesday evening.
STAFF PHOTO/NATHANIEL UNDERWOOD
