Pats Lose Match, But Not Confidence

MALVERN—The volleyball squad dropped their league opener against Kennett Tuesday night. But the smiles on the girls' faces even after the 3-1 loss evidenced a team brimming with confidence.

“It’s just the way we play as a team, we don’t let anything get to us,” senior Laura Tabbut said. “We love playing together. This is the closest team I have ever been a part of. We are ready to go for the season; our energy and enthusiasm have been great. I love my role as some one who finishes plays, it’s very satisfying to put the ball past them to score a point. ”

After dropping the first game of the match 25-16, Great Valley battled back in the second, scoring six straight points before falling by a final of 25-21, falling behind 2-0.

Senior setter Emily Norris has settled into her role as the quarterback of the squad as she distributed the ball to finishers Tabbut and sophomore Brianna Farrelly. She led the Pats in the third game to a 25-19 win to climb to within striking range as the fourth got underway.

“It’s a challenge, I love it,” Emily Norris said. “It’s up to me to know where everybody is on the floor and to know when and who to give it to, or when to just get it back over the net. This is one of the most balanced teams I have ever been on—we all have a mutual respect for each other and great team chemistry.”

After falling behind early, the Patriots recorded eight points out of 10 to get within three points at 21-18. But their chances diminished after three forced errors out of the last four points, and they dropped the match 3-1 to a very strong Ches-Mont foe.

Following a 3-0 sweep over Academy Park to open the season, the loss evened the Patriots' record at 1-1, giving first-year head coach Sue Norris a chance to evaluate how her young squad handles adversity.

“I am so excited for the season,” coach Norris said. “I have seen these girls really mesh through camp. Our team is so tight, they all support each other, and I am confident they will learn from playing a team like Kennett today. My girls have all worked very hard so far, and we have a couple of the younger kids that have been impressive so far.”

On such “youngster” is that of sophomore Brianna Farrelly, who has made her way into the starting group of players by attacking the ball with a vengeance and doing the little things correctly.

“We have some great players on this team,” senior Natalie Scott said, “We have such great camaraderie, and we all treat each other as equals. Take Brianna, who I keep forgetting is just a sophomore, she has been unreal so far.”

Coach Norris had always hoped to a head volleyball coach one day.

“I love it,” she said, when asked to appraise her first season so far. “It is far more difficult, and there is more pressure than I ever imagined. There is a lot of responsibility and a very high expectation placed on the team and myself. It’s something I have always wanted to do, and I am so glad to have the opportunity with such a great group of kids.”

Aspen Christen, Alex Daniels, Sara Ma, Ali McClung, Lila Ziotowski, will be counted on heavily during the 2011 season, along with the front line of Maria Morelli, Krystyn Stickley and Taylor Ryan, who shined against the Blue Demons.

Kennett                  25            25            19            25

Great Valley            16            21            25            19  

Blue Demons win 3-1

Time of match 1:54