*The final Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class AAA rankings are listed below.
Hatboro-Horsham coach Diane Lucas called it a ‘thrilling journey’ while Council Rock North coach Kinsey Lynch called it an ‘amazing year.’
By any description, the 2009 season was a memorable one for both SOL squads.
Both advanced to last weekend’s PIAA Class AAA Volleyball Tournament, and while neither team advanced out of pool play, simply earning a spot the final eight in the state was the culmination of a dream for both squads.
“Reaching states has always been a goal of every class that’s been a part of North’s program every year I have been here as a coach,” Lynch said. “I had never been there, but I heard from other coaches that have been there what amazing competition there is and what an honor it really is to be there as a team.
“We were very psyched, but we knew it was going to be tough.”
In their first match of the day, the Indians faced District 7 champion Mount Lebanon and fell in three games (19-25, 8-25, 17-25).
“The competition was difficult,” Lynch said. “I think the kids were a little overwhelmed with the noise in the gym.
“All of my kids have played club before, and as a program, we’ve traveled to tournaments, but it was a different kind of atmosphere in that gym.”
The Indians adjusted to the environment and came back to battle eventual state runner-up Allentown Central Catholic tough before falling 2-1 (20-25, 21-25, 25-22). The Indians won a game in their final match of the day against Cardinal O’Hara (25-10, 16-25, 16-25).
“As a coach, overall I was happy with the way we played,” Lynch said. “Could we have done better in some aspects? Absolutely, but at the end of the day, there’s really no better way to end the season than to go to states.”
The state tournament marked the end of an era for the seven seniors who represented the heart and soul of this year’s squad that captured the SOL National Conference crown and was the District One runner-up.
Sarah Kiely, Jackie Davies, Sarah Morrison, Amanda Carmen, Lauren Malakoff, Kristen Sargente and Danielle Stewart came on board as freshmen, the same year Lynch took over the helm.
“I have to admit after that last game I looked around at those seven kids, and I definitely got choked up because it hit me – ‘Wow, these kids aren’t going to be here next year,’” the Indians’ coach said. “I’m really going to miss them. They’re always definitely going to have a special place in our hearts.
“It’s interesting how much time, as a coach, you invest not only coaching these kids but in the conversations you have with them on the bus, watching them grow from freshmen to seniors. You’re having these intimate conversations about school and their family life, and they come and ask for advice about things.
“It’s so much more than being a coach. You really develop a rapport with them, and I think that’s what I’m going to miss so much – having those conversations and having such close bonds with that group.”
Lynch acknowledged that this senior class was invested in volleyball.
“This group of kids throughout their high school careers has focused their energy on volleyball,” she said. “They’ve played club volleyball, they went to camps every summer, and they trained. In the offseason, they went to open gyms.
“This core group of seniors worked so hard to get to where they are now. That’s why for this group it was really emotional for them to get to the state tournament, to win the conference and to get the district final. It was just huge.
“They’re just such respectful and polite kids. They’re hard working, they’re good leaders on the court, they’ve really embraced the younger kids on the team, and they’ve left a huge imprint on our program. They’re forever going to be part of our volleyball family. We always tell our seniors when they graduate that they’re always going to be part of our volleyball family, no matter what.”
Leading the Indians at the state tournament were Kiely (22 kills, 9 blocks, 15 digs), Davies (55 assists) Bailey Dowd (21 kills, 14 blocks, 11 digs), and Dani Borgia (40 digs).
“The other thing I was really happy with is that all of them played so well,” Lynch said. “All the kids in different situations and scenarios throughout the weekend – they all had great moments.
“They contributed so much, and it was great to see the smiles on their faces.”
This year’s senior class was part of three consecutive conference championships – last year the Indians were co-champs with Pennsbury, and a year earlier, they were the Continental Conference champs. This year marked the first time in Lynch’s tenure that the Indians advanced past the district quarterfinals.
“Every year we would get to that point, and it was a letdown,” she said. “This year we not only got past that point – we made it to the district finals, and on top of that, we made it to states. What an amazing year.”
The Indians closed out the year ranked ninth in the final Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association 2009 Class AAA poll
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It took absolutely no time at all for coach Diane Lucas to put her team’s successful post-season run into perspective.
“I am extremely proud of each member of this Hatboro-Horsham volleyball team,” she said. “They persevered through adversity with class and confidence, and their charisma followed them throughout Friday’s pool play.
“Although it would have been an honor to advance to Saturday’s semifinals and final round, I know the players found their experience rewarding and pivotal in their volleyball careers and in their lives. Only eight teams (in the state) have the character to make it to Friday’s pool play. To proudly announce that these girls paved the way for this is an honor as a coach.”
In their opening match of pool play, the Hatters fell to Hempfield 2-1 (23-25, 17-25, 25-17). Ashley Morgan (9 digs, 5 kills), Julie Harvey (11 kills, 3 solo blocks) and Lauren Schmickle (27 assists, 4 digs) led the Hatters.
The Hatters fell to eventual state champion Bishop Shanahan by an identical 2-1 score (14-25, 21-25, 25-17). Morgan (11 digs, 3 kills), Harvey (10 kills, 5 solo blocks) and Schmickle (32 assists, 1 dig, 3 solo blocks) once again paced the Hatters.
In their final match of the day, the Hatters fell to District 7 runner-up Seneca Valley 2-1 (25-23, 21-25, 23-25). Carly Black (7 kills), Harvey (8 kills) and Schmickle (22 assists) led the Hatters.
“Obviously, this 2009 season has been a thrilling journey,” Lucas said. “The girls continued to get better from preseason and never quit on their goals, even when faced with challenges and tough opponents. We continued to improve and target the specific areas that would make our team stronger.”
Lucas lauded her squad’s relentless work ethic.
“I have been so lucky to coach a team that can admit improvement is necessary and then go out to practice or to a match and strive to work on that skill,” the Hatters’ coach said. “Some athletes will say they want to improve something, but these girls said it and did it.”
Lucas went on to acknowledge some of the intangibles that set this year’s squad apart.
“Along with having a great ride into States and the excitement that comes along with that, I am equally proud of these girls for their commitment to their academic work and to their teammates,” Lucas said. “They are unmatched in their sportsmanship and thoughtfulness.
“That is what makes a special season – the winning along with the commitment to all-around excellence as human beings.”
The Hatters were anchored by an outstanding group of five seniors - Lauren Schmickle, Ashley Morgan, Lizzie Myers, Kristy Riley and Carolyn Walker.
“This year’s senior class has instilled something for Hatboro-Horsham volleyball, which cannot be taught in an 8-10 week season,” Lucas said. “They have shown through continuous example that hard work, dedication, teamwork and heart can help you to overcome tremendous (obstacles) in both volleyball and life.
“I am indebted to their example as leaders and as people, and I know the Hatters’ volleyball program is stronger because of them. We have a great crew coming back next year, but the Class of 2009 will be missed.”
Hatboro cracked the state’s final volleyball poll, closing out the year as the seventh ranked team in the state.
Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Final 2009 Class AAA Rankings
Rank | District | School | Previous Rank |
1 | 1 | Bishop Shanahan | 2 |
2 | 11 | Allentown Central Catholic | 3 |
3 | 7 | Mount Lebanon | 1 |
4 | 3 | Hempfield | 5 |
5 | 7 | Seneca Valley | 4 |
6 | 12 | Cardinal O’Hara | 7 |
7 | 1 | Hatboro-Horsham | not ranked |
8 | 1 | Council Rock North | 6 |
9 | 7 | Pine Richland | 9 |
10 | 11 | Emmaus | 10 |
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