Bald Eagle Area  3, Bellefonte 0

BEA 25 25 25

BEL 18  19  23

By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE – Two rival teams heading in the right direction Monday hit the volleyball court as the Bellefonte Red Raiders renewed its historic rivalry with Bald Eagle Area.

Both participated in this year’s traditional “Dig Pink” game as the two teams showed their off court friendship in support of curing Cancer.

On the court however, the two teams battled with the win coming from the visitors in Bald Eagle.

The two would put up quite a battle with each other as each team brought the best out in the other.

But it would be the Lady Eagles that came out victorious winning it in three close contests, 25-18, 25-19 and 25-23.

“I think we did an awesome job. Bellefonte came out strong in the first set and we had to wake up a little“, said Bald Eagle Area coach Taylor Geidroc. “In the second set we kind of took charge and kept going with that. I think our girls played awesome. It was a good game and good game to watch.”

The Lady Eagles were led by the strong front row play of Leah Bryan and Addelyn Fisher. Bryan was deadly from her outside position while Fisher was able to have numerous clutch blocks in the game.

Bellefonte got strong performances from Keira Clarkson who was tough from the service line as well as teammate Colbie Frailey.

Opening up the contest, the Eagles had to battle their way from behind, trailing for most of the contest.

Tied at four, Bellefonte jumped out ahead on four consecutive service points by Clarkson, putting the Lady Raiders ahead 7-4.

In the run, Bellefonte got a blast by Aubrey Schreppel and two blocks by Brooke Carlini.

The Red Raiders would build up a 17-15 advantage after some very strong frontline play by both teams.

However, with the clutch play from the serving line by Kinsey Clark Bald Eagle rallied back to take the game 25-18.

“  this is the best we’ve played all season“, said Bellefonte coach Monica Smith. “I’m very proud of the girls. They stuck with it and never got down on themselves and they competed the whole time.”

In the second game, the Eagles offense started where it left off in the first game, going on a 8-1 run. Highlighting the run was service points by Casey Angellotti (3) and Emily Smith (5).

Bellefonte slowly chipped off the Lady Eagles’ lead.

At one point, the Eagles had built up an 18-7 advantage before the Red Raiders would mount their comeback.

Trailing 24-13, Frailey stood at the service line looking for some momentum.

The Lady Raiders were able to regroup and march back and make a game of it thanks to five consecutive points by Frailey.

But the deficit was too much to overcome as the Eagles ended the game forcing the Red Raiders to turn the ball over to finish the second game, 25-19.

Both teams saved their best for last as they would battle back and forth with neither team able to get any kind of rallies going.

From beginning to end, the two were within one or two points of each other and that would not be decided until Bald Eagle would force yet another turnover to end the match at 3-0 with a 25-23 win.