Campus News
September 20th 2022
Chase's ‘monster' match downs Lady Lakers
GC continues to show improvement as volleyball season progresses
It may be a little early for Halloween, but Beaver County Community College's Chase Young was plenty scary Saturday afternoon when she played against the Lady Lakers' women's volleyball team.
Chase, a freshman middle blocker for the Lady Titans, produced 14 kills as BCCC swept GC, 25-10, 25-17, and 25-22. She was at her best when the Lady Titans needed her the most, scoring BCCC's final three points on kills to snuff out an impressive Garrett College rally.
"Number 6 [Chase] was a monster," said GC head coach Brittany Jackson, clearly buying into the Halloween theme. "She's just all-around great. Their team definitely does a great job utilizing her."
"We try not to rely on her so much, but she's just the glue," said BCCC head coach Rose Leslie, who moved Young to the bench in key portions of the second and third sets.
BCCC needed Chase to be scary to put away the Lady Lakers. Garrett College – which is combining a core of experienced volleyball players with volleyball "newbies" – has drastically improved over its first four matches.
"We definitely got a lot scrappier, are hustling a lot more, and going after everything," said Jackson of the Lady Lakers' dramatic improvements. "We're not an easy team to just roll over anymore. We're making teams work and we're constantly fighting back."
That fighting spirit proved helpful after BCCC took the first set and built a 17-8 lead in the second set.
Garrett responded with a 7-1 run, including a block and a dink by Abiyona Hall. Sierra Smith's ace pulled the Lady Lakers within 18-15, but BCCC ran out the set with a 7-2 surge.
BCCC reserve Madilyn Judy played a huge role in the third set, replacing Young and scoring five straight points on her serve as the Lady Titans broke away from a 3-3 tie to build an 8-3 cushion. Beaver County built an 18-11 lead with Young on the bench, but the Lady Lakers responded with another gutsy run.
GC went on a 10-3 scoring spree, tying the set at 21-21 on a point-scoring dink by Hall as Harmoni Swain served the Lady Lakers' final three points to deadlock the set.
BCCC regained the lead as Swain netted her next serve. Young's final three kills were enough to put away the Lady Lakers.
"She was quick and she could see where the block was and hit around the block," Hall said of Young.
While the Lady Lakers fell to 0-4, Hall said the team is showing marked improvement.
"Communication, trusting teammates and hustling for the ball – we've shown improvement in all those areas," said Hall.
Jackson, meanwhile, said playing matches is the best way for the Lady Lakers – who only have nine players on the roster – to improve.
"Getting more experience going up against teams – especially strong teams in our conference – it's helping us become stronger," said Jackson. "We're learning the game more playing six-on-six. Having the opportunity to go against a live team is great."
Notes: BCCC swept its portion of the tri-match, taking down the College of Southern Maryland in five games. CSM, meanwhile, swept the Lady Lakers in Saturday's first match, 25-3, 25-10, and 25-16.
Josie Canales had a team-high 13 digs in the loss to CSM and Smith provided three aces. Hall had four kills and a block against BCCC while Smith and Daphne Harman each had two aces against the Lady Titans.
The Lady Lakers play at Penn Highlands Community College Monday, and host Hagerstown Community College Tuesday and Cecil College Friday. All matches start at 6 p.m.
