Baldwin girls volleyball finishes 1st half of section play on high note

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, October 1, 2018 | 9:30 PM

The stage was set.

Baldwin and Bethel Park were tied at 2-2 in their recent Section 2-4A showdown in girls volleyball.

The two teams battled back and forth furiously while exchanging points in the critical Game 5, leading to a 14-14 stalemate.

Time for some Murray Magic.

Baldwin junior Allison Murray, a power-hitting 6-foot middle blocker, served up the final two points of the fifth game, culminating with an ace on match point.

“Allison was really good (against the Black Hawks),” coach Chris Kelly said. “She led us with 20 kills, 23 digs and three service aces. None of those aces was bigger than the last one to win the match, though.”

The Highlanders ended up with a dramatic 3-2 victory against the visitors to finish the first half of the section season with a 7-0 record and No. 2 ranking in their division.

“That was a tough one,” Kelly said. “I feel like we were able to outlast Bethel Park. They played great and it was all we could do to pull off that win. I thought we played well defensively.

“As a team, we had 101 digs in the match. Bethel just kept swinging away and we just kept digging them. Bethel had 85 digs of their own, though, so they played great defense, as well.”

Murray was her regular disruptive force at the net against the fourth-ranked Black Hawks.

“The Bethel game was very intense and exciting,” Murray said. “Overall, the game was so much fun; the team communicated and worked really hard to beat Bethel, who was probably our toughest section opponent. Oakland Catholic is also another tough opponent.

“Finishing the first half of the season 7-0 was super exciting. We have worked very hard in the gym at practice every day.”

Murray maintains a positive approach at the service line.

“Serving game point, whether it’s the fifth set or the first set, is always a little nerve-racking,” she said. “But going back to the line to serve, I always try keep positive mindset.”

Another Baldwin junior, 5-6 outside hitter Anna Baloh, set up Murray’s magical performance from the service area with a clutch hit and point in Game 5 with the score 14-13 in favor of the visitors.

Baloh racked up 15 kills, 12 digs and three service aces on the night.

Senior libero Mackenzie Meis led the Highlanders in the digs department with 29. Kerri Herron, a senior defensive specialist, chipped in with 18, while Maggie Zandier, a junior defensive specialist, added 10. Meis, Herron and Zandier are listed at 5-1, 5-3 and 5-4, respectively.

Outside hitter Riley Lenard (19) and middle blocker Ally Schenk (9), both juniors, combined for 28 kills to complement Murray at the net area.

Mia Hampsay, a 5-8 junior setter, recorded 55 assists against the Black Hawks.

Bethel Park dropped to 5-2 in the section, behind Baldwin and No. 3 Oakland Catholic (6-1). Canon-McMillan held onto fourth place.

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin