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Mooney, Hubbard off to regional
By Curtis Pulliam
The Cardinal Mooney High School volleyball team is preparing for its first regional appearance.
Hubbard’s team will be making its first trip to the regional since 2007.
Both are hoping to celebrate a big week.
“It was a great accomplishment for the girls and the coaches,” Cardinals head coach Tony Gorvet said of last week’s Division II district championship over Mineral Ridge. “Noting the rich tradition that we have in athletics, it was a nice tribute to the senior class.”
The Cardinals (23-2) have a tough road ahead to make more history. They will play Gilmour Academy on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Barberton High School.
“They’re good,” said Gorvet about Gilmour Academy. “They were the state runners-up last year and are returning everyone expect one girl. She went to play at Iowa.”
The Cardinals will be without senior setter and captain Gina Patella, who hurt her knee in the district final.
“It’s going to be difficult without Gina,” Gorvet said. “But in the districts, we had Maddie [Ozenghar] step up for us. The rest of team will have to step up too.”
The Cardinals are composed of mostly seniors.
“Most of the girls are 18 now instead of 17 and that year makes a big difference,” Gorvet said. “Last year, we lost in the district finals and this year we had the senior leadership.”
Gorvet says the teams are almost opposites, with the Lancers holding a significant height advantage up front. “We will have to use our athleticism,” he said. “No one expects us to win except for us.”
Last Wednesday, Hubbard (19-5) rallied from a two-game deficit to defeat defending district champion Crestwood.
“We lost to Crestwood last year so we had them circled on the calender this year,” Eagles head coach Jeremy Porter said. “To win that match in the fashion we did was unbelievable.”
The Eagles face Akron Hoban on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Stow-Munroe Falls High School.
“They are a good program and play a tough schedule filled with teams around the Akron and Cleveland area,” Porter said. “They have some good outside hitters and are overall a good team.”
The Eagles will look to their five seniors to play well.
“I think we will be a little more relaxed than we were to start districts,” Porter said. “We had been thinking about [Crestwood] all year. Now I think we will play more loose. I told the girls to just enjoy every moment.”
Porter says they will also need big games from sophomore Emily Krinos and freshman Addy Jarvis.
“I don’t think we have ever had a freshman play like Addy has in the playoffs,” Porter said.