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HORSHAM – Lauren Schmickle smiled.
Hatboro-Horsham’s standout setter admitted that Thursday night’s District One AAA quarterfinal match against Council Rock North – a 3-1 Hatboro win - was something special.
“We love a challenge,” Schmickle said of her team’s 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-18 win over the Indians. “We love playing hard together, but the biggest thing is we love the excitement of the match.
“After we lost the first game, it was like, ‘Alright, let’s bring it back’ because we knew it was going to be a challenge. We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we brought it back together and had fun with it.”
The match featured one big play after another as players from both squads played with the conviction that no ball should ever touch the floor, but after dropping the first game, it was the Hatters who had the better of play.
“In the first game, we had some unforced errors, and Council Rock North is an awesome team,” Hatboro coach Diane Lucas said. “They played so hard, and they played so well. We really had to step up to the challenge.
“We recognized some open areas, but ultimately, we played with more confidence because we weren’t making the errors that were costing us the points. After we fixed that, we were able to relax a little more, have fun and enjoy the experience.”
While the Hatters celebrated the big win, the Indians were left to deal with the realization that a special season had ended.
“It’s disappointing,” Atasha Jordan said. “I would have loved more than anything to go to states my senior year, but we had fun, and that’s all you can ask for.”
“It’s very disappointing,” teammate Christina Dollings said. “We always come into our matches focused and confident.
“Usually, our weak point is staying strong.”
On this night, it was the Hatters who seemed to get stronger with each successful rally. Buoyed by their defense – senior libero Sara Dougherty had 21 digs, several of the spectacular variety, the Hatters rallied from a 13-11 deficit in game three to knot the score 13-13.
The point that knotted the score typified the Hatters’ effort when Julie Harvey – who was unstoppable in the middle - capped a marathon point with a resounding cross court kill. Included in that volley were several heroic defensive plays by both teams.
“They dig up everything,” Jordan said. “Their libero – the ball could be a mile away from her, and she would get it. I have to say good job to her because she did a really, really good job defensively.
“It’s aggravating for hitters when someone is digging up everything, but that’s okay.”
The Indians led 16-14 after a Kristin Sargente service ace, but the Hatters came back to take an 18-17 lead after a Rock North hitting error, and they led 19-17 after a Smickle ace. The Indians knotted the score, but a Bonnie Harvey kill put the Hatters on top 20-19, and they went on to win 25-21 on another Julie Harvey kill – this one hit the tape and rolled over for a winner.
It was that kind of night for the Hatters, who led two games to one.
In game four, the Hatters opened up an 11-6 lead. The Indians cut the lead to two after a Dollings ace (12-10), but the Hatters responded. A well-placed soft kill by Julie Harvey sparked a 5-2 run that was capped by a service winner from Lizzie Myers, putting the Hatters on top 17-12. 
The Indians would get no closer than four the rest of the way as the Hatters rolled to the important win.
“One of our weak points is staying strong an entire match,” Dollings said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t do that tonight.
“I just don’t think we were playing our game. We were all capable of doing it, but we just didn’t have everyone show up to play tonight.”
Earlier in the match, the Indians were sparked by the superb play of Sarah Kiely in game one. The dangerous middle hitter, who had a game-high 15 kills, delivered a kill to knot the score 5-5, and it was another big Kiely kill that put the Indians on top 8-5. They went on to open up a 13-7 lead after a Palm tip. The Hatters would get no closer than four until late in the match when a Rock North violation cut the Indians’ lead to 23-21. By then, the Indians had firm control of the game.
In game two, the Hatters began varying their attack – mixing tips with some well-placed kills, particularly in the middle where Julie Harvey (14 kills, 16 blocks) had a monster game.
“We learned from the first game what their middles did and where they hit,” Hatter senior Julia Simonsen said. “We had to change to how they played.
“Our middles knew how fast to jump, when to jump, and they figured where to swing to. It picked up our momentum.”
The Indians trailed 10-9 after a Palm kill, but a Simonsen kill sparked a 7-3 run that gave the Hatters control as they began to utilize all the weapons in their arsenal.
“Our hitters are great this year,” Smickle said. “We’re trying to run so many different plays, and obviously, it’s been working. Oh my gosh, it’s just amazing how well they can get it down.”
The Hatters went on to earn a 25-17 win, evening the match 1-1 and setting the stage for the pivotal third game that swung momentum and the match firmly in Hatboro’s favor.
“They played very well,” Lynch said of the Hatters. “She (Lucas) works really hard with them on defense, and it shows. The team that played better won the game.
“I told the girls at the beginning – when you come to a playoff game, it comes down to who makes less mistakes.
“I’m really proud of them. We have such an incredible group of athletes. They’re such great kids to be around. I love working with them every single day. I’m really proud of the progress they made.”
Extra points: In addition to Keily, Bailey Dowd had six kills. Dollings had 28 digs and Jackie Davies, 18 digs. For the Hatters, Bonnie Harvey had five blocks, five kills and four aces. Smickle had 38 assists.
Pennsbury 3, Villa Maria 0 (25-17, 25-23, 25-19)
Sophomore Brittany Bigos had 11 kills and five digs to lead the Falcons. Stacey Wooden paced the defense with nine digs. Drew Jolly added nine kills and Kaitlin Wylie, six kills. Wylie handed out 32 assists in the win.
Upper Merion 3, Plymouth Whitemarsh 0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-21)
In a rematch of SOL American Conference foes, the top-seeded Vikings emerged a winner. Lisa Ridgeway was dominant in the middle of the net, contributing 10 kills and three blocks. She also had 14 digs. Kim Landmesser had nine assists, seven kills and three aces. Katie DeLone had 16 digs while Cassidy Koenig had 11 assists to go along with 10 digs. Devyn Ingram had 14 digs and six kills. Liz DiValerio had 11 kills to lead the Vikings.
While the Vikings rolled to a convincing win in game one, they were sparked by a seven-point serving run by Ingram to break open a close game two. According to coach Tony Funsten, Landmesser had a timely ace to break open a tightly-contested game three for the Vikings, who improved to 16-1.
Bishop Shanahan 3, Souderton 0 (25-16, 26-24, 25-20)
The Indians – who turned in a superb defensive effort - put up a tough fight, but the perennial Chester County powerhouse prevailed. Jess Coll and Bri McMichael paced the defense with 14 digs each.
Coach Brad Garrett credited Jennie Mariani, Jen Parmer and Amy Brown for a standout job of blocking at the net and slowing down the powerful Shanahan hitters.
Senior Sam Terrell turned in a solid 20-assist effort. Senior Devon Sparks led the attack with 12 kills.
The Indians, according to Garrett, struggled with their serve receive in game one but came back to take a 23-18 lead in game two. Passing and hitting miscues let the Eagles back in the game. Shanahan won it when a Souderton hit sailed out of play.
Souderton closed out its season with a 13-5 record.
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