Still Hungry
BUFFALO TWP — Members of the Freeport volleyball team walked dejectedly off the court at Baldwin following a loss to Beaver in the WPIAL 2A championship.
Little did the Yellowjackets know at the time that the loss would perhaps be the best thing that happened to them during a magical 2017 season.
Freeport went on to cut a swath of dominance through the PIAA 2A playoffs, avenging that loss to Beaver in the state semifinals before dispatching Delone Catholic, 3-1, in the state championship match.
“I think losing the WPIAL championship gave us a lot of motivation to win a state title,” said senior Ally DeJidas, who had 21 kills against Delone in the title match in Johnstown last November. “I think without that, who knows if we would have won the state.”
But the Yellowjackets did win the state title, making a longtime dream of coach Tom Phillips come true in the process.
All these months later, the title still feels surreal to the returning players.
“I still don't think (it has sunk in),” DeJidas said. “We all know we did it.”
“Every day I'm still like, 'Wow, that happened?'” said senior middle hitter Sarah Hettich. “It actually hasn't hit me yet.”
Said senior Haley Graham: “I still feel like it didn't happen, like it was a dream — a really good dream.”
The dream now for Freeport is to repeat.
The Yellowjackets haven't taken anything for granted this offseason.
“I'm proud of the way they handled themselves and have worked this year,” Phillips said. “Their work ethic has been outstanding. They're very hungry.”
Staying motivated is sometimes a problem for a defending state champion.
Phillips said it hasn't been one for this group — largely because he reminds them of a simple fact every now and then.
“Last year's state championship means nothing this year,” Phillips said. “Everyone has you on the radar. Everyone has their best for you and that's what we're going to see all year long.”
The returning players know that, too.And they seem undaunted.“I feel like we always have that target on our back,” DeJidas said. “This year, we definitely do more. I feel like we're going to go out and play like we normally play and see what happens from there.”Freeport was one of four state champions from the western side of the state in 2017.Knoch won the 3A title; North Allegheny claimed the 4A crown; and District 10 Maplewood grabbed the 1A championship.Freeport will play North Allegheny Friday and will also tussle with Knoch later in the season.The Yellowjackets played both schools last year as well.“We have a very tough schedule,” Phillips said. “But we like it that way.”To get ready for that gauntlet, Freeport practices harder than most teams.It's depth is evident in the scrimmages they hold against one another.“The intensity of our practice is where it's at,” Phillips said. “When you have players like Isabella Russo and Mackensey Jack and Cora Crytzer and Sam Clark on the other side — those are good girls who would start on any team. When you play against those kids every single day in practice, it makes you better and it makes them better as well.”
