Taking command
ADAMS TWP — Having already locked up a WPIAL Class AAA playoff berth, the Seneca Valley girls volleyball team is in search of momentum before the postseason begins.
Tuesday's Section 3 meeting at Mars didn't hurt.
The Raiders took control early and earned a sweep of the Planets by scores of 25-6, 25-16 and 25-22.
After suffering a defeat at the hands of Bethel Park last week, Seneca beat Upper St. Clair Monday and will look to close the regular season on a three-game winning streak when it plays at Butler on Thursday.
“Momentum is big,” said Raiders' coach Karen Martini. “The girls are progressing the way we had hoped. We're turning in nice plays and playing more as a team.”
Junior Maria Alfano tallied four of her nine kills early in the first set, helping the Raiders build a 5-0 lead. Mars struggled getting into its offense, failing to score a point with the serve the entire game.
“We were passing really well early on,” said Alfano. “Everything was clicking for us.”
The Planets (4-8) improved during the second game and held a 19-17 edge late in the third. But miscommunication on a Seneca kill handed possession back to the Raiders. They received kills from Melissa Carter, Tatum Poirier and Madeline Poirier and scored eight of the final 11 points to end the match.
The top three teams from the section will make the playoffs. Seneca is in second place, behind North Allegheny and in front of Pine-Richland.
The season held much promise for Mars until a rash of injuries derailed its playoff hopes.
“We really started to click during the (Midwestern Athletic Conference) Tournament, but it was there that we lost junior outside hitter Cassie McKernan to an injury,” said Mars coach Tami Caraway. “Then middle hitter Julia Frye and our libero Alecia Zika, they were also injured.
“Every team deals with injuries and we had a lot of younger players get experience,” she added. “That will pay off for us moving forward because it gives those players confidence. We wouldn't have been able to get through this if it weren't for the leadership provided by our seniors (Alyssa Fenton, Kayla Mitchell, Hannah Ryan and Zika).
The Raiders (14-3, 10-2) have been dealing with a key injury of their own. Senior setter Madison Chapman has been out of the lineup since an injury sustained at the State College Tournament Oct. 3. Sophomore Madison McDonough has filled in admirably. Chapman hopes to return for the playoffs.
“We've adjusted,” said Alfano of the change in the lineup. “Everybody has stepped up their play.”
Two of Seneca Valley's three losses this season have come against rival North Allegheny. The undefeated Tigers dropped the Raiders 3-0 Sept. 10 before mistakes cost SV in a 3-1 loss Oct. 6.
“We beat ourselves in that second match,” said Martini. “We just need to have more confidence if we meet NA for a third time.”
“Our blocking needs to improve if we want to beat them,” said Alfano. “It has gotten better since the beginning of the season. Everybody just needs to do their job.”
