Redeemer Lutheran girls volleyball celebrates championship season

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 11:01 AM

Redeemer Lutheran junior outside hitter Anika Vanwyk felt some uncertainty even though the Rams were one point away from an appearance in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Athletic Alliance championship game.

Junior setter Clarissa Tinkey rolled her ankle celebrating the point and Redeemer had to quickly reconfigure things on the fly. The Rams adapted and won the next point to defeat Hillcrest and advance to a championship rematch with Calvary Chapel School.

“Our setter had just rolled her ankle, and we were freaking out,” Vanwyk said. “The next point, the ball hit the line. And right then, when we won that game, we knew we wanted the championship game more than anything. We all communicated with each other and filled in spots. Everyone did something they weren’t as comfortable with.”

During the championship match, the Rams (11-1) were much more at ease. Redeemer avenged a loss in last season’s championship match by beating Calvary to win the first SWPAA title in program history.

The schools split a pair of meetings during the regular season. Redeemer was the top seed in the playoffs after finishing with a 9-1 record.

Cavalry handed Redeemer its only loss of the season Oct. 3 in five sets. Rams junior middle hitter Michelina Andrae said that Calvary’s style made them difficult to handle.

“The way they play isn’t something we are used to,” Andrae said. “It made it a good, competitive, fun game. They hit the back row a lot. They usually do a lot of standings hits so there isn’t much blocking. That’s one of our strengths, and we couldn’t do it.”

Redeemer benefited from having an experienced roster come back this season. The Rams only lost two players to graduation.

“We always prayed with each other, too,” Vanwyk said. “If we were all really nervous for a game, we would always say a prayer. God would always be with us. Every day, He would be with us.”

Junior Jaden Craig, Tinkey, Vanwyk and Andrae were named to the SWPAA all-league team. Other members of the team include juniors Sydney Brown and Molly Hagey and sophomores Makayla Fox, Julia Kuhel and Journey Salizzoni.

“The girls functioned well as a team,” Redeemer coach Bill Richardson said. “They were willing to learn and work.”

The Rams’ cohesiveness served them well throughout the season. Redeemer opened the year with a 3-2 win over Calvary and swept its eight other wins in the regular season.

Tinkey said that the team was energetic throughout the season.

“Honestly, I would say that I feel like a lot of our games, (we were) hyping each other up beforehand,” Tinkey said. “It would get us mentally prepared for the game we had that day, and it would show on the court. If we had a good day together, you could tell.”

Andrae said that being a part of the team’s first championship team was an exciting moment. She started playing with the program when she was in sixth grade.

“I think it’s been really amazing,” Andrae said. “Jaden, Sydney and I have played since we were in sixth grade. Everyone else who has added onto that has only improved. We are better now than ever.”