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Mooney ends S. Range dominance
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Maddie Abrigg of Cardinal Mooney hits the ball back over the net during Thursday’s home game against South Range.
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
The Cardinal Mooney High School volleyball team went 22-4 a season ago. Two of the Cardinals’ losses were to South Range, including the district championship match.
Mooney has never won a district championship and with everyone returning from last year’s squad, head coach Tony Gorvet likes his team’s chances of filling that trophy void this season.
Thursday, the Cardinals swept the Raiders by scores of 25-17, 25-9 and 25-17 at the Cardinals’ gymnasium.
“It’s district-or-bust for us this year and that is our overall team goal,” Gorvet said. “We came close last season so with everyone back and a couple of new additions, we feel like this could be the year.
“I have to credit assistant coaches Brittany Gregory and Sarah Smith because they got us ready for tonight’s game,” Gorvet said. “Our team played outstanding and we beat an excellent, well-coached South Range team.”
McKenzie Reese had 12 digs, six kills, two assists and two blocks with MaKenna Ozenghar registering 10 assists and 10 digs and Lauren Lottier 23 digs for the Cardinals. Nichole Webber made 10 kills and four blocks.
The Raiders are a different team.
“We lost three senior starters from last year’s squad and with an injury in the early going as well, we’re still adapting to changes that we have had to make,” South Range coach Rachel Storm-Baker said. “While we aren’t pleased with the outcome, this was a good, competitive game for us as we look toward ITCL play next week.
“We start two sophomores and Cardinal Mooney provided an excellent test for us,” Storm-Baker said. “A game like this can only make you better and that’s what we want when league play begins.”
Storm-Baker called senior Lexi DeSantis one the hardest workers she has ever coached.
“It was special to see [sisters] Lexi and Autumn [DeSantis] go up against each other.
“Lexi is a power hitter; our go-to player who plays her heart out no matter who is on the other side of the net,” she said.
Lexi DeSantis had 14 kills, six blocks and five digs. Caragyn Yanek added 16 digs and five points while Jordan Youngs had 10 digs and five kills for South Range.
For Autumn DeSantis, a Mooney freshman who had eight kills and five blocks on the night, going up against her sister, Lexi, a senior for the Raiders was very special.
“I was nervous at the outset but the nerves did eventually settle down,” Autumn said. “Facing my sister was very special because she is my best friend and in my eyes, an excellent athlete.”
Gorvet said there are many matches to be played.
“We did everything right tonight but I had to caution everyone that there’s still 20 more games yet to be played,” Gorvet said. “Nichole and Autumn dominated the net so we feel like we’re right on track.”
“We can still get better,” Webber said.