MORGANTOWN — Even with a two-set advantage, the Morgantown High volleyball team was not exactly firing on all cylinders on Thursday.
The Mohigans (15-6) took the first two sets over rival University, 25-19 and 25-17, but head coach Erica Manor wasn’t thrilled with their performance.
“I think that we didn’t play our best volleyball,” Manor said. “We weren’t really taking care of business like we typically do. I really challenged them in that third set, and they came out strong.”
Whatever message that Manor delivered, it’s safe to say it was received loud and clear.
Morgantown jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the decisive frame for a 25-9 win and a regular season sweep of the Hawks.
“We finally flipped that switch and took care of business like we should have,” Manor said.
One of the main switch flippers for the Mohigans was sophomore middle hitter Issy Grushecky. She finished with two aces, a team-high eight kills and three blocks. She also added four service points in the final set.
“I think it is definitely intimidating,” Grushecky said of the offensive and defensive attack that the Mohigans provide at the net. “For me playing against huge hitters, I know is intimidating, so to see us — I know it can be crazy. We are like a powerhouse together.”
That powerhouse did struggle in the first two sets as the Hawks (11-6) built leads but could not finish the job against MHS.
“I have no idea what happened,” veteran UHS head coach Don Godfrey said. “It was almost like we just gave up. We played John Marshall on Tuesday night and it was the best game we have played all year. When we are down, we can’t get ourselves back up and that just kills us.”
Godfrey mentioned that is especially true when playing against a good team like the Mohigans.
Morgantown was also playing for a great cause as Thursday was its fundraiser to support breast cancer awareness. The Mohigans wore pink uniforms to demonstrate their unity for the cause. All proceeds from the game went to the WVU Cancer Institute.
“It was a very special night for us,” Manor said. “A lot of us have family members who have experienced cancer, so it did mean a lot for us to finally show up and play a little better.”
Junior setter Paige Brock led the Mohigans with 15 assists in the contest while she tacked on three aces and three kills. Kaitlyn Anderson added seven kills and one block while Asia Halbritter had four aces and six digs.
University returns to action Monday when it hosts Hampshire. The JV game begins at 6 p.m. and the varsity will play afterward.
Morgantown hosts a tri-match on Saturday as it entertains Woodrow Wilson and Wheeling Park. The event is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.
By ERIC HERTER
