Harbaugh finishes what Leopards start

HAGERSTOWN — Senior middle hitter Danielle Harbaugh excelled in several different areas for the Smithsburg volleyball team Monday night.

Harbaugh finished with 14 kills and four blocks and was effective at the service line as well, leading the Leopards to a 25-12, 25-15, 25-10 sweep of South Hagerstown in an MVAL Antietam volleyball match.

“I think I’m doing well. It is all about my team, though,” Harbaugh said. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without the passes and the sets. I couldn’t do any of this without my teammates.”

Smithsburg (7-1, 3-1) won its fifth match in a row.

“We’re doing very well,” Harbaugh said. “We’re playing better. We’re getting our chemistry back. The seniors are accepting their roles as leaders. The underclassmen are learning very fast and they are doing well. Everyone is working hard and bringing the intensity in practices. That is what wins games: Playing like you practice.”

“Danielle is just a natural leader on the court,” Leopards coach Rachel Brashear said. “She has been big for us this year. She has been the spark for us this year by getting the kills and the blocks. She has got that never-say-die attitude. She has been that vocal leader for us both on and off the court.”

Senior Sarah Shives had 24 assists, senior Karah Knight had 10 digs, sophomore Amanda Snowden had eight digs and seven kills, and junior Haley Caudell added seven kills and three blocks for the Leopards.

In Game 1, Harbaugh’s string of four service points gave Smithsburg a 13-4 advantage. Shives served seven straight points to give the Leopards game point at 24-10. Shortly thereafter, Harbaugh put away a game-ending kill.

In Game 2, Harbaugh once again served four straight service points to help the Leopards extend their lead to 9-3. Freshman Payton Belella racked up five consecutive service points to raise Smithsburg’s lead to 24-13.

In Game 3, Harbaugh’s six-point service run helped the Leopards build a 13-3 lead.

In the JV match, South Hagerstown swept Smithsburg 25-16, 25-20. Alisha Adkins had 14 service points for the Rebels.