Cards use opener as springboard

By Steve WILAJ

sports @vindy.com

CORTLAND

The character of Canfield High’s volleyball team shined the brightest late in the heart-racing first game of Thursday’s match at Lakeview.

With the score tied at 27, the Cardinals — after a discussion between the referees — were called for a net violation, giving the Bulldogs a one-point lead (their fifth lead of the back-and-forth contest) and the chance to close out the opening game.

Although visibly unhappy with the call, Canfield huddled quickly and regrouped.

“We had to wipe it off — start clean,” said Cardinals junior Morgan Leonard. “If you let things like that get you down, that can destroy you as a team. Mentally, you have to be able to push yourself forward even over the little bumps.”

So they did just that.

Sophomore Maddy Johns spiked the next point before Leonard sealed the contest with a kill a few plays later to give Canfield an incredible 31-29 victory in the first game. The Cardinals then dominated the next two games — 25-13 and 25-17 — to sweep Lakeview.

“It doesn’t get any better than that -- that’s insane— Canfield coach Maria Householder said of the Game 1 win. “It was back and forth. It was intense. It was stressful. But my girls don’t panic. They just plug away and keep going.”

Leonard, who led the Cardinals (19-1, 9-0 All-American Conference Red) with 15 kills, believes that victory revealed a lot about Canfield’s character.

“It showed that when we want it, we’ll get it,” she said. “That’s how it is. Nothing can stop the energy and the will we have to push forward on tough plays.

“Every player on this team has the capability to be something great. Not one of us is better than the other. Like the saying, ‘Behind every man is a good woman,’ for us it’s, ‘Behind every good player is a great team.’ ”

In addition to Leonard’s strong performance, Darby Hepola led Canfield with 15 blocks and 10 points while Janie Rafoth notched 36 assists and Rachel Rafoth had 26 digs.

For Lakeview (11-6, 6-4), Laney Little had nine kills, Annie Pavlansky notched 17 assists and 19 digs and Carly Casassa had six points. Bulldogs coach Caitlin Schnurrenberger wants to see her team improve on its consistency.

“We came out and played really well to begin with,” she said. “The first game was one that we could have won — and if we did — the night would have been pretty different. But we didn’t come back as strong the rest of the way

“Once we get some consistency, we’ll be able to play at that level more than one game a night. But right now that’s what we’re lacking and that’s what Canfield had.”

The Cardinals close out their regular season with two home matches next week before tournament play begins. After Thursday’s sweep, Householder thinks Canfield is ready for the postseason.

“I’m excited because they didn’t quit and then they completely shut them down the second two games,” she said. “We don’t panic and you can’t measure that. That’s what’s going to push us through.”