Preview: Top seed Somerset tangles with Hollidaysburg for D6 volleyball supremacy
The Somerset girls volleyball team was supposed to play for a District 6 Class AAA championship a season ago, having earned a bye into the title match.
However, a COVID-19 outbreak at the school forced all activities to be canceled and Somerset to bow out of the playoffs. It was a difficult Zoom call Somerset coach Elizabeth Barron had to make to her team.
The Golden Eagles stood tall and worked through some adversity to get back to the championship match this year. Top seed Somerset (16-3) earned a bye again into the championship and will face No. 2 Hollidaysburg for gold at 7 p.m. Thursday, at Richland High School.
On a mission: Somerset volleyball determined to get back to D6 title after COVID spoiled shot in 2020
"These girls have worked hard since the beginning of summer and even before then to prepare for this time of the year," said Somerset coach Elizabeth Barron. "Last year was really tough.
"Some of these girls have seen it, but most of them have not seen the tradition that we have of going to districts and competing in the LHAC. For some of these younger girls and the freshmen coming along, they need to see the tradition continue. We want to keep coming back to this district championship and win it."
This Somerset team does not have all of the bells and whistles like some of the Golden Eagles teams of the past. However, they battle each match and each set. Their gritty demeanor has led to an opportunity to hoist D6 gold once again.
"This group fights every game," Barron said. "There's times where early on we've had games that have been really close. I think we knew we had that ability to beat any team as long as we were there for each other and playing for ourselves and as a team, not a single person."
The Golden Eagles have played in three, five-set thrillers this season. And despite dropping two of those matches, Somerset is battle tested playing a grueling LHAC schedule this season.
"This is definitely one of the scrappier teams I've coached," Barron, who is in her sixth season as coach, said. "They are not going to give up or give up on each other. We've had some matches where we went to Game 5, and that is going to help us moving forward."
A lot of the starters for Somerset have stepped up and stepped into leadership roles. Many of them have played behind some top-tier talented. This group is embracing the moment and thriving now that it is their opportunity to shine.
Twins Shandi and Shawna Walker, along with fellow junior Sydney Rush and sophomore Olivia Svonavec set the tone for the Golden Eagles. Junior Gracie Bowers has excelled in taking over as the full-time setter. Senior Sydney Campbell, who missed time early this season, anchors the backside defense for Somerset. Campbell, Haley Basala and Eva Frazier are the lone seniors on the Somerset roster.
"They came into the season and knew what their duties and roles were" Barron said. "They did exactly what I expected them to do and that was step into their role and take over. That's the beauty of this team. We have four or five girls that can be the star on any given night. Everybody just compliments each other on this team."
Somerset won four straight district titles before falling to Hollidaysburg in the 2019 championship.
This has become a great rivalry between the two schools. Somerset was hot entering the postseason, winning five in a row to close the season. However, the Golden Eagles have not played a match since Oct. 27.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tigers downed Bellefonte in three sets on Tuesday to punch their ticket to the championship match. They have won four of their last five matches, including Tuesday's victory.
Somerset is going to need to play with a lot of energy and keep the momentum in its favor against Hollidaysburg.
"It is going to come down to serve-receive," Barron said. "I know Hollidaysburg has a good front row, but our defense and our ability to serve-receive the ball well is going to be a key factor. Our hitters know what to do. I am confident in them. Staying present in the game is a big thing we've tried to focus on all year as well."
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American sports on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset back in D6 volleyball championship chasing another title
