Princeton junior Kinlee Ratliff attempts to hit the ball around the arms of Allen defenders Katie Wawersich (3) and Kylee Lamb (10) on Friday. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media
By David Wolman
Princeton hosted nationally ranked Allen (26-2), No. 1 in MaxPreps’ state rankings and No. 5 in the nation, and the Lady Eagles proved too much for the Lady Panthers in a 3-0 win (25-6, 25-14, 25-15) at Princeton Arena on Friday evening.
The Lady Panthers had the early advantage, taking a 2-1 lead in the first set following a kill by sophomore outside hitter Jalyn Mosley.
However, a missed serve by Princeton on the next point stalled that momentum.
The remainder of the opening set was all Allen.
Junior Katie Wawersich served 14 straight points to start a dominant stretch of play by the Lady Eagles. Her directional serves proved tough for the Lady Panthers to handle. She recorded five service aces over that extended run, with her fifth giving Allen a commanding 16-2 lead.
Mosley temporarily stalled Allen’s momentum after recording a kill from the 10-foot line. But the Lady Eagles were quick to respond, getting a kill from sophomore Soleil Rhodes, who added aces on each of the next two points for a 19-3 Allen lead. Sophomore McKenna Sebert notched the Lady Eagles’ ace of the first set on set point.
Princeton stormed out to a 5-1 lead in the second set on kills by Mosley and sophomore Alexis Osaghae, as well as a service ace by senior Maria Colmenarez.
The Lady Panthers later led 6-4 after a kill by senior Emilie Parrott.
However, Allen proceeded to assert its will, with the Lady Eagles capitalizing on free balls. Allen took the lead for good at 7-6 following a Princeton hitting error and never relinquished control, part of a 20-8 Lady Eagles run to end the second set, as Allen took a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five match.
Allen completed the sweep after winning the third set by 10 points.
Stay informed — subscribe to The Princeton Herald.
0 Comments