Trojans hold off Maidens

September 07, 2000

Trojans hold off Maidens

By DAN KAUFFMAN / Staff Writer

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - No. 1 Chambersburg and No. 4 Waynesboro met for the first of several volleyball contests this season on Thursday, and for all the game was - a local rivalry, an early-season test, a chance to renew old acquaintances - what it wasn't was pretty.

At times, the Trojans showcased their front-line talent with ferocious kills and well-timed blocks, while at others, their timing and teamwork was off. But Chambersburg's talent overcame the lapses and a gritty effort by the Maidens for a 17-15, 15-11 victory.

"We're not there yet," Chambersburg coach Ty Frelin said. "Our timing's off, we're a little slow."

"I thought all in all, our defense lacked a little bit," Waynesboro coach Sonnia Oberholzer said. "This is like our second opener, but this was a heck of a game."

Chambersburg had moments of brilliance against a Waynesboro squad featuring only two seniors. Setter Steph VanBrakle made several heady plays in the second game, while Sarah Kriner and Lori Wilkinson combined for 16 kills in the match.

"That was kind of by design," Frelin said. "We were going to go outside until they made us go up the middle, and our outside hitters kept ripping the ball."

But in other stretches, Chambersburg missed opportunities and allowed the Maidens second chances.

The Trojans misfired on five straight game points in the first game, and Waynesboro clawed back from down 14-12 to take a 15-14 lead before misfiring on its own game point. Chambersburg then won the final three points of the game, including a key kill from Alyssa Messinger, who celebrated her 16th birthday Thursday.

Waynesboro bounced back to take a 7-2 lead early in the second game as senior Jana Reitz served five straight points. Reitz finished with seven kills and three blocks, while Becky Toms had five kills and three blocks for the Maidens.

But a kill and block from VanBrakle keyed a four-point Chambersburg stretch that pulled the Trojans to within one, 7-6. Waynesboro would push the lead to 10-7, but Chambersburg responded by winning the next five points for a 12-10 lead, and moments later, Kriner's kill on match point finished the Maidens.

"It's a good rivalry, and playing Waynesboro, it's always going to be a close match," Frelin said. "It's early in the season, but this might mean something down the road."

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