by Matt Koll
And then there were four.
The PAC women’s volleyball season is down to the semifinals of the PAC Tournament, where the quarterfinal winners will match up against the top two seeds who earned a bye after red-hot finishes to the regular season. Let’s examine the matchups and excitement still to come.
THE MATCH:
#4 WESTMINSTER vs. #1 ALLEGHENY
EARLIER THIS SEASON…
On this Halloween Eve, the Gators went on the road to Meadville and came out with a victory in four sets (25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23). Angelee Bawek led the team with 20 kills while also tallying 11 digs. Allegheny’s Jacy Diaz led all players with 28 digs and Meagan Robare had 25 assists. The Titans lost both matches in the Grove City Tri-Match just a few days later, but did win their final two matches before the postseason.
KEY PLAYERS:
- Dagney Javes (ALL)- 2nd in PAC in hitting percentage, kills per set, points
- Shelby Rambo (WES)- 5th in PAC in hitting percentage, 2nd in blocks
- Jacy Diaz (ALL)- 3rd in digs per set
- Brooke Gecina (WES)- 10th in PAC in digs per set
THE BREAKDOWN:
It was nervous energy turned to excitement in New Wilmington on Saturday as it took 4th-seeded Westminster all five sets to dispose of 5th-seeded Washington and Jefferson at home. Tied one set apiece, the Presidents finished the third set strong and won it 25-17. Backs against the wall, the Titans delivered. After a shaky start to the fourth set, they finished strong to win that set 25-17 and the fifth set featured four blocks by Shelby Rambo to build a 5-0 lead.
“Shelby has the ability to make a huge impact in any match,” said Westminster head coach Tammy Swearingen. “Her athleticism, speed and reaction make her hard to defend, and certainly make teams alter their attacks when her block is on like it was [Tuesday] night. After she lands a few hard driven attacks, the defense is on their heels and struggles to come forward for her tip. It was awesome seeing her play so hard, with control and have some fun.”
Westminster won the deciding set 15-12 to earn the right to play top-seeded Allegheny.
The team was able to continue to focus on earning the next point regardless of the outcome of the last point,” said Swearingen. “Teamwork, focus, and energy was a huge part of [Tuesday night’s] victory. Being able to overcome adversity and remain resilient is key.”
Westminster ranks third in the PAC in team hitting percentage, while also ranking second in kills and second in digs.
On the other side, this Allegheny team has already made history as the first team since 1994 to go undefeated in conference play during the regular season. That’s according to head coach Kelly Barzak, who sensed something special might take place this season.
“In the beginning of the season, I knew we would be in the top three of the conference and I knew we had the capability of winning it all, but to go undefeated wasn’t something that I expected because of the high-level competition in the PAC,” Barzak said. “We knew we were a strong team after beating John Carroll and taking Carnegie Mellon to five sets, which they are currently ranked 35th in the country. I am unbelievably proud of my team and the work that they have put in since last season to set us up for success.”
Statistically, the Gators look the part of a championship caliber team. They lead the conference in points, kills, assists, and hitting percentage as well as opponent assists, kills and service aces. And they’ve got star power. Dagney Javes is 2nd in the PAC in hitting percentage, kills per set and points. Jacy Diaz is 3rd in digs per set and Angelee Bawek is 5th in points and 9th in hitting percentage.
Allegheny is talented and seem to be playing at their best, winners of nine straight heading into the semifinals, having only dropped a total of five sets in those nine matches. It’s been domination for the Gators of late, but that doesn’t mean they can lack focus.
“We are going to have to fight for every point,” said Barzak. “All year, our motto has been to start strong and play fast. If we can do that, play our game, and use the energy of our home court advantage, I believe that we can win the PAC Championship.”
THE MATCH:
#3 CHATHAM vs. #2 SAINT VINCENT
EARLIER THIS SEASON…
In Latrobe, on Halloween Eve as well, just like the other semifinal matchup, the visiting Cougars took a tight first set 27-25. But the Bearcats took the next three, all by no more than three points (27-25, 25-23, 25-22) for the match win. Saint Vincent’s Meegan Williams racked up a match-high 20 kills and teammate Lauren Fox cooked up four blocks. Meanwhile, for Chatham, Ava Plunkard recorded a match-high 48 assists, while Sierra Ricci led all players with 35 digs.
KEY PLAYERS:
- Lauren Fox (SVC)- 7th PAC in hitting percentage, 5th in blocks
- Ava Plunkard (CHA)- 2nd in PAC in service aces, 4th in assists
- Meegan Williams (SVC)- 8th in PAC in points
- Zoie Bateman (CHA)- 9th in PAC in points, 11th in kills
THE BREAKDOWN:
Saint Vincent earned a bye and its highest seed in the PAC Tournament in program history after winning four straight to end the regular season and 10 of its last 12 games.
“This team never quits,” says head coach Susan Hozak. “It doesn’t matter how many points they may be down; they continue to fight. They also understand that no lead is ever quite secured until that last set or match point is scored. We have been working on that at practice with high-pressure drills.”
Their persistence was coupled with solid defensive play. The Bearcats led the conference in digs per set while also ranking third in blocks. Saint Vincent only lost two sets in those four straight victories to end the season, which included the win over Chatham.
“The team believes in each other and trusts each other and themselves,” said Hozak. “They support each other through rough and good times on the court. Defense and consistency are important to our success.”
Individually, they have several players who litter the PAC top 10 in major statistical categories, and Hozak says they have several strong leaders like Vivian Poach, Stacie Ramos and Kaelyn Staples-Klasnic. “The nice thing about this group is that they work so well together and any of the six on the court can lead at any given time,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Cougars were sent into survival mode on Tuesday night after they fell behind two sets to one to #6 Thiel. That third set wasn’t particularly close either, a 25-9 result. But much to their credit and resolve, Chatham responded to the adversity with an identical 25-9 win in the next set, followed by a 15-12 win in the fifth set.
“I think it shows we can win in a variety of ways. We can win playing clean, error-free volleyball, or we can play a defensive game and show some grit to get the job done,” said head coach Joe Bortak. “The team continually trusts the process of competing, being there to support and motivate one another, and they play for the fun of the game. Competition is a thrilling component and they’re really embracing that mentality.”
Zoie Bateman hit .320 in the quarterfinal match, as four players had eight or more kills en route to victory. Natalie Keough had herself a fantastic match as well with 37 assists, 11 digs and lead the team with four blocks.
“Zoie (Bateman) has been a big asset to us this season, but we are the epitome of a team,” Bortak said. “Not one person has to carry the load or be the go-to player, because we have so many talented players providing for the team in a number of ways. Everyone is relied upon to contribute and we are very grateful for all of the contributions we’ve had.”
So what must they do well in order to move past the Bearcats and into the PAC Championship match? “Have fun playing for one another. Play loose, play free, enjoy the competition and take advantage of the moment,” Bortak says. “The rest of the skill, strategy, and gameplan will take care of itself as long as we strive towards a great mentality.”
