Middletown >> The West Chester East girls volleyball team improved its record to 3-0 after surviving a back-and-forth 3-2 win against a senior-laden Penncrest squad Tuesday.
The Vikings lost the opener 22-25, came back in game two for a 25-16 win, fell in the third game 19-25, then rallied to win game 4 (25-18) and breeze to a convincing 15-3 win in the fifth contest against a Penncrest squad that included nine seniors.
“I think we’re still working on a little bit of jitters,” said West Chester East head coach Erin Flynn Prinzo. “It took us a minute to find our footing in Game 1; then once we found it, our chemistry has been phenomenal. In the third game, I think we got a little over-zealous, a little excited in our placement — we had some out balls here and there. But then we reset to our basics and how we play, and the fifth game was absolutely how we play volleyball. It was awesome to see.”
In the fifth game, East bolted to a 7-0 advantage. With the Vikings holding a 10-3 lead, senior outside hitter Alexa Mork then made five consecutive serves that were not returned to the Vikings’ side of the net, ending the game.
“Alexa was dialed in on those serves,” said Prinzo. “She really helped carry us through that fifth game. Penncrest did an awesome job, they worked their butt off and it’s obvious they have a good team.”
Mork, who last fall received Daily Local News all-area girls volleyball first team honors, finished Monday night with 15 kills, eight aces and nine digs. She has committed to Towson University for volleyball.
Mork said, “When we were in the pre-game huddle (for game 5) I told the team it’s mini-games of five – first to five, first to 10, first to 15, and I think that’s what we did. We tried to get as many points as we could for the first five, and then kept working our way.
“I also think we had a lot of energy in the fifth game. We were ready to fight and we were ready to win. Penncrest gave us a good game tonight.”
Prinzo praised freshman setter Katie McPeak (26 assists, four aces).
“Katie has been phenomenal for us,” said Prinzo. “Her volleyball IQ is off the charts. She responds quickly, and has helped to cement this team. To think that a freshman did this in our third game of the season – jelling and working — she really helps the girls in the front row shine. She’s done a phenomenal job feeding (senior outside hitter) Annie Kerns.”
Kerns made eight kills and junior right side Lauren Cuskey tallied seven kills as well as two aces.
“Lauren looked great tonight,” said Prinzo. “And Annie does a great job of finding the sweet spot and then executing it over and over again. She’s been helping our girls to be on their toes, even in practice, making sure they’re down and ready. Her swing is gorgeous but when she plays, she really capitalizes on hitting it where the other team isn’t.”
Senior libero Izzy Byrnes added 12 digs to the winning effort.
In the first game, the Vikings fell behind early, and trailed at one point 14-8, then ran off eight straight points to take a 16-14, thanks in part to some fine work at the net by Mork. But with the score tied at 22-22, the Vikings returned a couple of shots into the net and lost the final three points.
In game two, the Vikings took an early 13-6 lead and held a comfortable lead the rest of the way. In the third game, East fell behind 9-2, then cut the Lions’ lead at one point to 16-14, but could get no closer.
In the pivotal fourth game, the score was tied at 11-11 when East went on a 9-3 run en route to a 25-18 win.
