Goshen volleyball team improves against Penn

By GREG KEIM
THE GOSHEN NEWS

September 03, 2008 05:24 pm

— There are columns to record wins and losses.
If there was one for determination, the Goshen High School girls volleyball team could post one in that category after a home match against Penn on Tuesday night.
The longer the Lady Redskins played, the more competitive they became during a 25-7, 25-18, 25-23 loss.
“The beginning was rough,” Goshen coach Kera Maure said. “We are a short team, averaging about 5-6. We are intimidated by tall teams and have to make adjustments on where to hit.
“We competed with Penn and the next time we play a taller team, we have a better chance of beating them.”
Goshen (5-2) hosts Warsaw on Thursday. Penn is 6-2.
“I thought we played a great match.” Penn coach Lisa Pawlik said. “Goshen started serving very aggressively in the third game. Our rotation was different as we were trying to get some players experience in other areas.
“I can’t say enough about the job Kera (Maure) has done with the Goshen program. The team has changed since last year. The players are more skilled and they move well to the ball.”
Penn was in control most of the night. The Redskins never had the lead until 5-6 junior outside hitter Jordyn Myers served an ace, giving her team a 5-4 advantage in the third game.
“Myers is unbelievably quick,” Maure said. “She has great hand-eye coordination and good reflexes.”
Goshen led 12-11 before 6-2 Penn senior middle hitter Lindsey Miller recorded a kill to knot the score 12-12.
“Miller is one of our go-to hitters,” Pawlik said. “She is committed to play next year at Ferris State.”
The Redskins battled back to tie the score 19-19 when a Penn kill was out of bounds and at 20-20 on a kill by 5-6 sophomore outside hitter Elizabeth Kleinsmith.
Goshen’s final lead was at 22-21 on a service error by Penn.
“We never gave up and that is something to be excited about,” Maure said. “There were times last season when we would have. We never stopped swinging. Once you stop swinging and start tipping the ball you are just giving the other team free balls all the time.”
The Redskin defense was paced by 5-4 senior defensive specialist Rachel Frantz with 11 digs, 5-6 defensive specialist Kaitlyn Troyer 10 and 5-6 senior outside hitter Haley Linn 8.
“Frantz had some great digs,” Maure said. “She played good defense.”
Linn had two aces, 5-4 senior setter Kelsey Kidd 14 assists, Kleinsmith and 5-7 senior outside hitter Jena Toney both five kills.
“We moved Toney into the middle and she did a good job,” Maure said. “She played middle as a sophomore, but has been working outside since then. She did a nice job of making the adjustments.”
Penn was a 25-16, 25-12 JV winner. Redskin leaders were sophomore Caitlin Yoder and freshman Julie Jesse both seven digs, sophomore Madison Hussey four kills and sophomore Maranda Reed three.

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