Carmichaels’ season comes to end in state playoffs
Jonathan Guth | Herald-Standard
Meighan Spishock delivers a spike for Carmichaels during Tuesday’s match against Bishop Carroll in the first round of the PIAA Class A girls’ volleyball playoff tournament at Forest Hills High School.
Carmichaels' Alexandra McGee bumps the ball to teammate Grace Kerr during Tuesday's match against Bishop Carroll in the first round of the PIAA Class A girls' volleyball playoff tournament at Forest Hills High School.
Jonathan Guth/For the Observer-Reporter
Carmichaels’ Emma Hyatt spikes the ball against Bishop Carroll’s Madeline Murphy during Tuesday’s match against Bishop Carroll in the first round of the PIAA Class A girls’ volleyball playoff tournament at Forest Hills High School.
Carmichaels' Alexandra McGee bumps the ball to set up a teammate during Tuesday's match against Bishop Carroll in the first round of the PIAA Class A girls' volleyball tournament at Forest Hills High School.
SIDMAN – Carmichaels accomplished a number of firsts this volleyball season – a Section 2-A championship, undefeated regular season, appearance in the WPIAL Class A championship match and qualifying for the state tournament.
Unfortunately for head coach Ashley Shoemaker and her team, the Mikes (17-2) saw their season come to an end in a 3-0 setback to Bishop Carroll (21-2) in the first round of the state playoffs Tuesday at Forest Hills High School.
“This team has accomplished so much and has set records throughout their season,” Shoemaker said. “They really set the bar high for the next group coming in, and it always takes that first team to believe they can do it to push the teams that follow to that particular spot.”
The Huskies play Cochranton on Saturday in the state quarterfinals at a site and time to be determined.
Bishop Carroll used a 10-1 run to take a 14-4 lead in the first set and Carmichaels took a timeout. The Mikes cut the deficit to 20-14, but the Huskies were able to win the game, 25-15.
Carmichaels had a better start in the second game and held a 9-8 lead before Bishop Carroll went on a 7-1 run to take a 15-10 advantage. The Mikes fought off two set points but the Huskies prevailed with a 25-16 win and a 2-0 lead.
Bishop Carroll jumped out to a 14-6 lead in the third game, but Carmichaels went on an 9-1 run to tie the score at 15-15. The Huskies responded with a 7-0 run for a 22-15 advantage. Bishop Carroll won the third set, 25-18.
“We played a lot better in the third set,” Shoemaker said. “Both teams are good and it was a battle back and forth. We let a couple of our errors get the best of us in that third set.”
The Mikes’ Grace Kerr had 14 assists, 12 digs and three kills. Teammate Alexandra McGee had eight service points and nine assists.
Carmichaels’ Taylor Christopher and Emma Hyatt had six kills apiece. The Mikes’ Nicole Ludrosky had five kills and Meighan Spishock had four service points.
Carmichaels’ Abigail Fordyce contributed 14 digs and teammate Micaela Ricco had 10 digs.
The Mikes are a relatively young team and will only lose three seniors in Kerr, Ricco and Spishock.
“It is tough to see our seniors go, but pretty much all our girls play club and summer league,” Shoemaker said. “They really love it and play all year long. It was definitely an exciting season for our girls.”