The Crofton Warriors returned to the State tournament for the first time since 2016, but fell in the first round to the Clarkson-Leigh Patriots on Thursday, November 2.
The Warriors played the Patriots earlier in the season and knew it was going to be a battle. The Warriors started the set strong by scoring the first point. “It was very important,” Junior Cassie Allen stated, “because we knew that they were good and if we started down in a rut it would be hard to come back out from it.”
The Warriors battled back and forth during the first set, but ultimately lost 21-25. The Warrior defense kept them in the game with a total of 79 digs. Senior Ellie Tramp led the team with five digs in the first set. Tramp said she kept her confidence up on defense by having faith in her teammates and their abilities.
Despite the Warriors going on the attack with 45 kills in the second set, they fell to the Patriots 21-25. Senior Caitlin Guenther led the team with eight kills in the second set. Guenther attributed her success at the net to, “figuring out how to work around their big blocks and our defense stopping their aggressive offense.”
The Warriors may not have ended the season how they wanted to, but they fought hard losing the third set 18-25. Junior Sammie Allen stated, “We never gave up and fought hard till the end.”
The Warriors ended the season 21-9 with a 3rd place finish in the Mid-State Conference. Coach Bailey Allen is proud of her team, “We competed on the state tournament floor for the first time since 2016, and I couldn’t be more proud! The Crofton volleyball program is stepping up the ladder and making the right moves in the right direction.”
Sophomore Jaisie going up for an attack
Caitlin Guenther spiking the ball
Junior Sammie Allen, Senior Caitlin Guenther and Junior Lexi Wiebelhaus ready at
the net.
