Madison Suffers Narrow Defeat in Sectional Final

The girls volleyball team lost two close games in 2-0 defeat to Science Park Thursday night in the South Jersey, Group 1 sectional championship game at Jefferson High School.

IN SHORT

Getting out to a 21-17 lead in the first game, Madison struggled on serve and let the game get away, losing 24-26. In the second game, the Dodgers struggled with their service and were down 17-13 when they mounted a comeback on Joellen Kentner's serve. Madison took the lead, but was halted once again by Science Park.

"Serving throughout the whole game hurt us," Madison coach Steve Fenton said. "We just couldn't overcome it."

DODGER OF THE GAME

Joellen Kentner, middle hitter—Kentner took control and inspired her team's comeback in the second game.

"The senior captain stepped up and wanted the ball," Fenton said. "She took control, she fought hard. She was mixing up her serves."

KEY PERFORMANCES

Jen Vorel, setter—Junior setter Vorel stepped up all season and this was no exception.

THEY SAID IT

"We should have put it away in the first game," Fenton said. "It would have changed it around a little bit.  They fought back in the second game.  I just kept telling them, 'hit the ball, hit the ball, keep attacking the ball.'  When we got down in the second game, I told them to forget the score, just play point for point. And they came back. On another day, we might take care of Science Park, but not today.  That is the way the game is.  We had a good season considering the turmoil of losing our senior setter at the beginning of the year.  I am proud of how hard they worked and pushed all year.

"It's tough to lose. I think the hardest part is this is the end of our season and for a lot of us, the end of our high school playing careers. I am just glad we were able to show that we could hang with them. Had we gone out with a whimper, it would have been more devastating. I am glad we got to show everyone our agility and abilities."