STATE COLLEGE — Following a weekend in which State College suffered their first loss of the season, the Little Lions had to quickly readjust their focus on their toughest matchup of the year so far.
In what was a battle between two undefeated conference rivals, State College defended its home gym through a three-set sweep over Central Dauphin.
“I’m preparing them (the Little Lions) for the tools and what we can do and what we need to be doing to play against their (Rams) best weapons,” State College head coach Audrey McDonough said. “I’m not worried about them, I’m worried about how we play.”
State College certainly was tested against the Rams’ best weapons after a hot start from Central Dauphin put them ahead early in the set. However, following two consecutive aces from Maggie Shupenko, the Rams were forced to call their first timeout of the match.
Central Dauphin head coach Josh Brenneman used two timeouts in the first set to discuss with his team. Ultimately, the two breaks weren’t enough as State College took the first set 25-19.
“It was kind of just play our hardest, play together as a team and not go on our own little islands as coach McDonough likes to call it,” Little Lions setter Nora Cawley said. “We really play together, hustle and have good serves.”
Cawley ended the match leading her team in kills with nine. Marie Mark was close behind with seven followed by Joslin Adams with five.
Hustle and the ability to play together was on full display for State College early in the middle set after it went on an instant run. Central Dauphin wasn’t able to muster any momentum as the Little Lions took the second set in dominant fashion, 25-11.
With a loud, newly formed student section on their feet, the third set was off to a much more competitive start than the second. Once it felt like the Little Lions would pull away, the Rams would answer in a hurry to tie.
Following moments where bleachers began to shake due to the yells and barks from the students, State College was able to complete the sweep, 25-20.
“I think it played well with the crowd tonight. They saw that these kids played their hearts out.” McDonough said.
A large part of this statement sweep for State College was points off the block and aces. Both Cawley and Shupenko finished the match with three aces.
The Mid Penn Commonwealth Conference now has a lone leader in the 4-0 Little Lions. For the Rams, they look to build off the loss and stay towards the top of the conference.
“We’re not looking too far down our path; we are looking at what’s in front of us. Tonight, Central Dauphin was in front of us; tonight, the goal was let’s see if we can do this in three (sets),” McDonough said. “So the message now is recover and Monday we will come right back at it.”
