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Cleveland Hill and Maryvale girls turning heads in volleyball action
 | | READY FOR ACTION...Cleveland Hill varsity volleyball junior Kemba Buchanan, left, and freshman Kaitlyn Luksch prepare to defend against a Springville serve Monday. (Times photo) |
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Although it's early in the volleyball season, the Cleveland Hill and Maryvale girls' varsity teams are looking good for favorable playoff positions come late October.
Kaitlyn and Alyssa Luksch are a big reason Cleveland Hill's girls varsity volleyball team has started strong this season, as the sisterly duo has formed a potent one-two punch at the setter and attacker positions.
Alyssa, a junior middle hitter who is described by Cleve Hill head coach Darci Secor as her team's best defender and hitter, was all over the court in the Lady Eagles' 3-1 match loss to Erie County Interscholastic Conference-IV foe Springville Monday, finishing with six kills, four aces, four blocks and three digs.
Kaitlyn, a freshman who Secor descibed as the Lady Eagles' top setter and server, helped keep the Griffins off balance in Game 2 with her hard, low serves, finishing with three aces and three kills.
However, Cleve Hill, which fell to 5-2, 2-1 in league play, was unable to stop several big Springville runs in games one, three and four. In Game 1, Cleve Hill took an early 6- 5 lead before Springville went on a 20-4 run. In Game 3, Cleve Hill saw Springville end the set with an 11-1 run. Finally, in Game 4, the Griffins scored three of the final points of the contest in a 25-22 win.
Secor said her team needs to remain focused for longer periods of time.
"The girls can't put their heads down when they get behind by three, four points," Secor said. "They have to believe they can still win."
Other top athletes who Secor listed on her team include junior outside hitter Torrie Wydysh, a talented all-around athlete, and freshman middle hitter Taylor Eldridge, who Secor said plays with much enthusiasm. Junior middle hitter Kemba Buchanan provides good height, as she contributed four blocks, three kills and two aces against Springville.
Cleve Hill faced league opponent East Aurora Wednesday, with results coming too late for press time. The Lady Eagles take on Holland at home tomorrow at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, Maryvale has been one of the biggest surprises in ECICIII this fall, winning seven of its first nine contests, including three of four in league play. The Lady Flyers defeated ECIC-III foe Tonawanda in straight sets Monday, 25-15, 25-18 and 25-20. Maryvale faced league opponent Pioneer Wednesday, with results coming too late for press time.
Maryvale head coach Jen Wierzbicki said her team, which went 0-11 in league play last season, is "one year smarter."
"A year of experience makes all the difference," said Wierzbicki, who added that she kept a smaller number of players on the roster this fall to boost individual attention. "I knew the girls would work hard."
Wierzbicki said the play of junior outside hitter Amanda Pinak, as well as solid defensive work from sophomores Tara Woods (libero) and diminutive Bailey Baran (5-foot-tall outside hitter) are major reasons for the Lady Flyers' success.
Maryvale returns to action tomorrow at local and league rival Depew, which is 3-4 overall, 2-3 in ECICIII play.
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