By HUNTER O. LYLE
PORTVILLE – On the course for their fifth consecutive New York State Championship, the Portville volleyball team got their playoff run off to a good start, downing Randolph in three sets.
The Lady Panthers (16-0) are no stranger to the postseason and as their battle-tested program cruised through an undefeated regular season, they earned the top seed as well a bye through the first round of the Section VI Class C postseason. As for Randolph (14-4), who came in as the No. 9 seed, they ended their season on a 7-1 run before taking down No. 8 Leonardo DaVinci in hostile territory.
“We tried to focus on a lot of things we might see. A lot of serving, passing and receiving and just talking about things,” said Portville head coach Kelly Unverdorben on her team’s focus during the bye. “I don’t know how much better you can get at this point in the season so you have to focus on a few other things like mental preparation.”
Early in the first set, it seemed as if the Lady Panthers had a bit of rust to knock off. Starting with a miscommunication on the very first volley, Portville would suffer multiple self-inflicted wounds that stopped them from building a quick lead. Although they were able to stay in front, miscommunications, missed rotations and shoddy work from the service line allowed Randolph to stay within striking distance.
After tying the game at 5-5, Portville was able to gain some distance with stellar work a the net. Between Ali Haynes spikes that echoed throughout the gymnasium or Laney Vincent’s iron-clad defense and blocks, the Lady Panthers sparked a run which eventually gave way to a 17-12 advantage. Portville would continue to ride the momentum to a first-set victory at 25-16.
“We tend to (see some struggles early) and we know it,” said Unverdorben. “Once we get going and get used to the opponent, we’re okay.”
The Lady Panthers came out red hot following the brief intermission. With Addie Walker working the service line, Portville opened up with ten unanswered points. Despite the gut punch they just endured, the Lady Cardinals remained unshaken. Slowly but surely, Randolph closed the deficit with a handful of aces and persistence on the floor. Having their momentum cut shot, the Portville miscues resurfaced once again, allowing Randolph to come within three points at 12-8.
However, following a timeout, the Lady Panthers regained their composure and supplanted themselves back in front with a 7-5 run. Weathering another Lady Cardinal surge late in the set, Portville managed to come away with a two-set lead after winning 25-19.
Sitting just one set away from the next round of the postseason, the Lady Panthers – and their fanbase – turned up the intensity. Although Randolph was able to jump out first, taking their first lead of the night at 4-3, Portville sprung to life with six unanswered points, taking back the lead as well as the Lady Cardinals spirit.
Boasting an impenetrable defense at the net, the Lady Panthers got to work feeding their front line for slam after slam. A rattled Randolph squad struggled to fend off the attack, eventually succumbing to the Lady Panthers at 25-14. Although it wasn’t exactly pretty, Portville had completed the sweep and earned their ticket to the next round.
“Our takeaway from tonight is that the girls did a good job with knowing what we needed to do, where the attack was coming from, setting up our block and serving key players,” said Unverdorben.
Haynes led the Lady Panthers in kills with 18 and Adriana Ensell had eight along with 13 digs. Mia Rhinehart had 12 digs while also tallying three aces while Walker had four and 30 assists.
Moving on, Portville will take on No. 12 Cattaraugus Little Valley on Friday at home.
“Yeah we might have swept Randolph but they brought their A game. They came to play, they came to win and they played hard,” said Unverdorben. “I don’t expect anything less from anyone we’re going to face from here on out.”
