When the Severna Park volleyball team entered this season, the girls had one goal in mind: a state title.
The Falcons moved one step closer to that goal Wednesday night when they defeated South River in four sets—25-17, 24-26, 25-18, 25-18—to advance to the region championship game.
After falling to South River in four sets during the regular season, the playoff matchup certainly wasn’t a given for the Falcons. Severna Park won the first set but fell behind in the second, 26-24.
“Severna Park led 23-19, then South River caught fire and outscored Severna Park 7-1 to tie the match at one set apiece,” said Severna Park head coach Tim Dunbar in an email to Patch. “Severna Park started off slowly in set two as well and played catch up for the first half of the set.”
After losing the second set, Dunbar said the team rallied for the final two. In set three, South River led 17-16. That lead was quickly squashed thanks to a six-point Falcon run that started and ended with a kill and contained three consecutive blocks for points.
“Sophie Hoekstra had a great all around match—defensively with her digs and blocks, and also several kills in crucial moments of the match,” Dunbar said.
Dunbar said the fourth and final set was close in the beginning, but Severna Park eventually pulled away for a 25-18 victory.
Severna Park will advance to the 4A East region championship match on Friday night and face Arundel, the only other team they lost to this season—twice.
Severna Park fell to Arundel in three sets during the final match of the season. And then lost in four sets in the county championship. The Falcons will look to change their luck at 5 p.m. on Friday at Arundel High School.
Stat Line:
Kills: Sophie Hoekstra (14) Mel Kapelewski (9) Abbie Hoekstra (8) Kara Glynn (8) Kimberly Bell (8) Cara Stine (5)
Assists: Kimberly Bell (35) Sophie Hoekstra (2)
Digs: Adriana Castille (21) Sophie Hoekstra (12) 9 Mel Kapelewski (9) Natalie Converse (7) Kimberly Bell (7) Abbie Hoekstra (5) Kara Glynn (5)
Blocks: Abbie Hoekstra (6) Sophie Hoekstra (4)
Serving: Kimberly Bell 23 for 23 (3 aces) Natalie Converse 23 for 26 (2 aces) Abbie Hoekstra 15 for 15 (3 aces) Sophie Hoekstra 12 for 13 Mel Kapelewski 9 for 10 (2 aces) Adriana Castille 9 for 10
The details for this story were submitted to Patch by Tim Dunbar, Severna Park High School’s head volleyball coach.
See Also:
- Volleyball: Falcons Eyeing Undefeated Season
- Volleyball: Falcons Top Broadneck, Stay Perfect
- Five Questions with SP Volleyball's Katherine Gowland
- Five Questions with SP Volleyball's Natalie Converse
- Five Questions with SP Volleyball's Kimberly Bell
- Five Questions with SP Volleyball's Abbie Hoekstra
- Five Questions with SP Volleyball's Adriana Castille