The formula winning the IAAM C Conference championship for Friends School and Catholic High was simple: limit mistakes.
The Quakers were able to make the fewer ones, outlasting Catholic in five sets to win their first volleyball crown Saturday afternoon at Roland Park Country School.
“I think overall we know that we are better team, we have proven all season, this victory it means so much to us and we [Friends] were able to pull through every single time,” said Friends coach Conya Wakefield, whose made 34 attack errors compared to 44 by Catholic.
“It feels really great, we worked really hard all season for this and this is something we wanted for a while, said Friends senior Bealela Donnelly, who had three blocks and 15 kills.
Donnelly saved her best for last with her team’s final three kills in the fifth set that featured five ties. The Cubs (9-5) were a point away from the title after Christine Weber drove the ball past the Friends (16-2) defense before the Quakers answered.
In the opening set both teams were just finding to find rhythm as the Cubs and Quakers committed close to 20 errors between the two of them. Friends were able to get things going late and win the first set.
The second set featured 10 ties and 11 lead changes. Catholic High was able to survive the battle aas Amanda Borowy provided the firepower with three kills and a block.
Friends responded in the third set as setter Anna Austin dished out six of 32 assists in the frame.
“Anna [Austin] stepped up big for us today and she got to almost every single ball and she did a really good job today,” said Donnelly.
Behind Weber and Katelyn Ensminger, Catholic extended the match in the fourth set. The duo each had five digs, and the Cubs only made five errors.
Catholic was on the verge of the title in the fifth set after being rewarded a point for a red card against Friends. The Quakers were to regroup and the IAAM glass championship bowl has a new home on Charles Street.
“One of the main things we focused on was just being positive and to stay upbeat today and that is what helped up us win.” said Donnelly.
“It means so much for us to put a banner on the wall,” said Wakefield.
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