Volleyball: Huskers Continue Success, Beat Somers 3-2

When Yorktown (7-3) hosted neighboring Somers (2-4), it did so in front of a crowd where both teams received plenty of boisterous support which made for an outstanding atmosphere.

The Huskers made it worthwhile for their fans who came out as they rallied from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Somers 3-2 (25-16, 24-26, 23-25, 25-15, 25-16) in an exciting back and forth contest on Monday, Oct. 4.

"It's always nice when you have spectators," Yorktown coach Katy Sherwood said. "We have several kids that come to every single game and cheer on the team. So it's nice to have people in the stands cheering."  

Those fans have been cheering for a team that is enjoying a turnaround campaign since the Huskers have already matched last year's win total of seven.

"The win means a lot since it's a league game and we really had to push through to win," Yorktown's Jenna Nardi said.

Nardi and her teammates got off to a hot start by winning the first game 25-16. Then in the second game, the Huskers continued their solid play, scoring eight of the game's first nine points. However, Somers Tuskers rallied to win the second game 26-24 and third game 25-23 to go up 2-1 in the match.

Sherwood talked about how her squad was able to get off to its hot start before the Tuskers rally.

"We were just receiving the ball well and setting it up," Sherwood said. "Then I don't know what happened. They serve to us and we let them score several points in a row and go on a run."

Yorktown went on its own run in the fourth game. The Huskers turned a 9-9 game into a 21-11 lead and an eventual 25-15 victory that tied the match at two games apiece.

Part of that stretch included Nardi serving six straight points. She said she and her teammates had to concentrate on the next point. They continued to keep the serves in the final game, which they won 25-16.

"We just had to find the right things to do and the right strategies," Nardi said. "The key to the win was just concentrating on our game and not the other team."

While Sherwood would've liked to have more consistency from her players, the bottom line is they still came away with the victory.

"They like to play under stress," Sherwood said. "I guess that is how they play best. Every match we have won we lost a game to a team and to come back and fight for the win."

Having to fight back for those wins has played a toll on the Husker coach.

"I'm stressed, I am not going to lie," Sherwood said. "We played great in our tournament and I haven't seen the intensity from the team that really went out there and dominated at our tournament."

Despite that, the Huskers are in excellent position to win a league title and garner a playoff berth.

"Our team wants to win the league," Sherwood said. "They keep their goals in mind and although it's a struggle, a win is a win."

Helping keep the team focused on its goals are its setters.

"Sam Strebel and Heather Raniolo, my two setters, they are the heart and soul of the team," Sherwood said. "They keep it together, the whole team stays together."

Yorktown Stats

Jenna Nardi 13 kills, 1 assist, 12 aces, 11 digs
Erin Sweeney 10 kills, 1 ace, 6 digs, 1 block
Sam Strebel  6 kills, 25 assists, 4 aces, 1 digs
Mirusha Mujaj 8 kills, 2 digs
Donika Zherka 2 kills, 8 digs
Heather Raniolo 4 kills, 15 assists, 1 aces, 2 digs
Liz Graham 1 kill, 3 aces, 6 digs
Mariah Raniolo 1 kill
Mallory Eliasson 1 assist, 2 aces, 6 digs
Kristen Boyle 1 dig
Fiona O'Connor 1 ace, 8 digs