Crusaders Advance to D-I Finals

KINGSTON – The Prout School girls' volleyball team handed Mount St. Charles its first loss of the season Tuesday evening, defeating the Mounties in five games at the University of Rhode Island's Keaney Gymnasium.

"Everyone on the team contributed to a great game today, we worked really hard and it just feels good to get it," senior Emily Caswell said. "They really had a good game plan against us, they knew what our techniques were and what our ideas were, and it was definitely tough. "

The Crusaders advance to face Coventry High for the Division I championship Saturday at 1 p.m. at Keaney, where they will have an opportunity to defend their title.

"We haven't lost here [at Keaney], so we don't want to be the team that blows it, but it just feels good to win. Mount's a good team," senior Emily Caswell said.

The Crusaders were just able to gain the advantage in a highly contested match, with Caswell crushing one of her 15 kills into the hardwood for the game-winning point.

"It was so tense, we were freaking out, but we had to stay calm because we knew that if we freak out then the game could be over and the season will be done as well," Caswell said.  "We really had to keep our composure, and when we can do that we really play a lot better."

The final game epitomized the match, with the Crusaders grabbing a 19-17 win in a game that featured five lead changes and 10 ties.  The Mounties had several opportunities to put the game away, but the Crusaders were able to fend off three match-point situations en route to the victory.

"It just came down to who wanted it more," Caswell said.  "They had a chance to put it away a couple of times, but we kept going for it and it finally paid off for us."

Senior Elise Walsh facilitated the Crusaders' offense, recording 40 assists in the game, while senior Adrian Pendergast recorded 17 kills. Caswell, Walsh and sophomore Tory Jedson anchored the Prout defense with 30, 21 and 18 digs, respectively.

Prout has now won eight games in a row, having not lost since they suffered a 3-1 defeat at home against North Kingstown on Oct. 4.

That loss to the Skippers proved to be a rallying point for the Crusaders' march to the finals. After nearly all of the fans had left the gymnasium, Greene and his players sat around center court to discuss the state of their team.

At that juncture, the Crusaders were clearly at the crossroads of their season, with one path leading towards a championship and the other to mediocrity. 

"We took care of some team stuff, and haven't lost since, we haven't looked back," Greene said. "The kids really responded to the challenges that I put forth to them, and we're playing some pretty good volleyball."

Prout has taken the prior of the two paths, and have put together a hot streak that has carried them all the way to D-I title game.

"I told my team in practice that we're in a different position than everybody else. I feel like if we put out our best performance, we win, and none of the other teams are still left, I feel like can say that," Greene said. 

"If we don't play well, the teams are going to take us, but it's a really nice position to be in. We control our fate."

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Prout 3, Mount St. Charles 2

21-25, 25-15, 20-25, 25-11, 19-17