By Rob Potter
MONTICELLO — October 4, 2002 – The Monticello Lady Panther volleyball team just keeps rolling along.
In Wednesday’s non-league match versus visiting Fallsburg, Monticello (9-0, 8-0 OCIAA) swept its way to another victory. The Lady Panthers beat the Lady Comets, 25-19, 25-12, 25-9.
The teams exchanged the lead throughout the first game. Late in the game, however, Monticello extended its lead to 23-18 thanks to an ace by Holli Schoonmaker and a kill by Tricia Parks.
After a sideout by Fallsburg (4-5, 4-3 OCIAA), Parks recorded another kill to give the Lady Panthers the game, 25-19.
The Lady Comets grabbed a 3-2 lead in the second game off a Shanee Weeks’ spike.
But Monticello soon took a 6-5 lead, an advantage it would not relinquish. The Lady Panthers outscored the Lady Comets by a 19-7 margin the rest of the game.
In the third game, Monticello took an early lead and put together a 10-2 run to end the match. Junior Tara Mullen served several aces in that scoring run.
“We did what we needed to do,” Monticello Coach Karen Atack said of the win.
Atack noted that she had to “adjust the system” of play the Lady Panthers are accustomed to due to the absence of starter Deirdre Smith. The sophomore was out sick and did not play in the match.
Several players stepped up in the match, Atack noted, including sophomore Bagina McCline.
Mullen finished the match with 11 service points, 7 aces, 3 digs and a kill, while Schoonmaker added 23 points, 6 digs, 3 aces, 3 kills.
Katy Schlichtman had 7 points, 7 blocks, 3 kills, 2 assists and an ace for the Lady Panthers, while Parks added 6 kills, 4 points, 2 blocks, 2 digs, 2 assists and an ace.
Fallsburg Coach Elisa Baum said that her team, which lost several seniors from last year’s squad that advanced to the sectional finals, has had its ups and downs this season.
“It’s my first year coaching the varsity team,” Baum said. “So, it’s a learning experience for all of us. The players work hard and they have a lot of heart – it’s all good.”
One highight for Baum and the Lady Comets this season was a win over perennial volleyball power John S. Burke.
Stat leaders for Fallsburg on Wednesday were Sammie Anderman (9 points, 6 digs and 3 aces), Rachel Feller (16 digs, 4 kills) and Weeks (8 digs, 4 points).
Note: Atack noted that Monticello earned a big victory over Newburgh on Tuesday afternoon.
“It was a great volleyball match and fun to watch,” Atack said.
The Lady Panthers, who in addition to winning the Section IX Class B volleyball title last season also won the Section IX sportsmanship award for volleyball, defeated host Newburgh in four games (24-26, 25-13, 25-14, 25-21).
Stat leaders in the match were Smith (15 kills, 10 blocks, 7 points, 4 digs), Jennifer King (26 points, 2 kills, 2 assists and an ace), Parks (7 points, 4 kills, 2 aces), Schlichtman (7 points, 4 digs, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 2 aces) and Schoonmaker (7 points, 4 digs and 4 kills).