YORKTOWN, N.Y.—When Lakeland and Yorktown play, it is always a big rivalry match, especially when a seven-game winning streak is on the line.
That was the case on Oct. 7, when the Hornets hosted a Husker squad that entered the match winners of seven in a row.
Lakeland, though, ended that winning streak with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-12) win versus Yorktown.
“Beating Yorktown raised our confidence a lot in not only ourselves but in each other,” said Lakeland’s Kelly Mallon. “We had lost to Yorktown in a scrimmage and in a tournament early on in the season, so us being able to come through with the sweep today shows how much we have grown since the beginning of the season.”
The win for the Hornets was their third in a row and fifth in six matches.
“Anytime you beat Yorktown, regardless of team records, it’s a big win,” said Lakeland coach Steve Fallo.
Mallon (10 kills, 16 digs), Sofia Cruz (9 kills), Tatiana Aquart (6 kills, 3 blocks), and Kaycee Aurigemma (24 assists) propelled the Hornets to the victory.
“We controlled the net play on both sides,” Fallo said. “Our defense is getting better each day.”
Lakeland’s offensive success was set up by its defense.
“We were all able to dominate on offense because our defense was very scrappy and clean today,” Mallon said. “We made very minimal mistakes on defense and kept our setter (Aurigemma) in system, which allowed her to give us some great sets.”
Aurigemma said she couldn’t have had such a successful game without the incredible teamwork and chemistry that Lakeland has built this season.
“When we’re all focused and having fun together, it really shows in our gameplay,” Aurigemma said.
Lakeland set the tone by winning the first set 25-16.
“Being able to come out of the gate strong really showed how much we wanted it today,” Mallon said. “We all had great energy and we were very positive on the court and on the bench. It was important to start off strong to show Yorktown we had what it took and that we had improved a lot since the last time we played them.”
Aurigemma said the Hornets were able to close the match out in the third set because of their teamwork.
“Each and every one of us gives our all once we step on the court and it benefits us tremendously,” Aurigemma said. “It was super important for us to close the match in three sets because our goal was to get the job done and that’s exactly what we did.”
Emily Imbrogno, Sarah Keegan, Elysa Hamblin, Caelyn Faison, Ava Hoff, Lynae Petrosino, Taryn Bruno, Elyse Steimel, and Ava Stabile also make up the Hornet’s victorious squad.
“It meant a lot to beat Yorktown yesterday, I think we really proved to ourselves and everyone that doubts us that we can play and win against skilled teams like Yorktown,” Aurigemma said. “If this momentum we currently have can stay consistent, we can do very well throughout the rest of the season.”
Nicole Dennison (15 assists), Kailey Alexander (5 kills), Jacklyn McDonald (3 aces), Amy Tintin (9 digs), and Sadie Forde (9 digs) led the Huskers in those respective categories versus the Hornets.
Yorktown rebounded in its next match at Poughkeepsie on Oct. 8, with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-7) win.
“It certainly was important to bounce back from a loss, to make sure we are able to refresh on our skills and keep working towards a win regardless of a previous game,” Dennison said.
Lexi Livadhi (5 kills), Julia Amado (5 kills), Katie Piehler (10 assists), and Amy Tintin (12 aces) stood out for Yorktown.
“I would certainly say our team was able to take this win because of our court awareness and soft skills, like communication and support for one another,” Dennison said.
The Huskers (8-3, 5-1) finished the week with a 3-1 (25-19, 26-28, 14-25, 22-25) loss to visiting Arlington on Oct. 10, with Tintin (16 digs), Dennison (21 assists), Natalia Lyon (11 kills, 12 digs), Forde (25 digs), and Piehler (11 assists) producing double figures.
Lakeland (7-5) fell at John Jay-Cross River 3-0 (13-25, 19-25, 17-25) on Oct. 8, led by Mallon (8 kills, 3 aces, 19 digs), Aquart (9 kills), and Aurigemma (18 assists).
Mallon (14 kills, 15 digs), Cruz (15 kills), Aquart (9 kills, 3 blocks),
Faison (6 kills), and Aurigemma (41 assists), helped Lakeland rebound with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-23) win against visiting Somers on Oct. 10.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here