EXETER — It hasn’t been the easiest few weeks for the Wyoming Area girls volleyball team. The team lost its head coach Nick Diaco in the last week of September on charges stemming from corruption of minors.
Since then, the Warriors have rallied behind new coach Brian Reese and have posted a pair of wins over the past two weeks, culminating in a 3-0 sweep of Coughlin on Wednesday. It was the third win of the season for Wyoming Area, while Coughlin dropped to 0-15.
Reese said the perseverance his team has showed has been unmatched by any team he’s seen.
“They are very passionate about the team and they want to be winners,” said Reese, who has been the assistnat coach for the past three years. “They just wanted to prove they aren’t a team to be pushed around.
Against the Crusaders Wednesday in Exeter, Brandi Sorokin had six kills and four blocks to lead the way for Wyoming Area in the win.
Jenna Chackan (4 ace, 10 service points, 10 assists), Caleigh Anderson (2 ace, 7 service points, 1 kill) and Hunter Chervenitski (2 ace, 8 service points, 4 kills) also contributed to the win.
Reese said Sorokin’s intimidation at the net helps the Warriors score.
“When her hands go up in people’s faces, she gets scared,” he said.
Both Pittston Area and Wyoming Area will get back to work Monday, Oct. 24. The Warriors will be traveling to Meyers, while Pittston Area hosts Crestwood. For Reese, he would like to see his team improve in aggressiveness and overall coverage.
“It was a big confidence booster for us to get a win,” Reese said. “When our heads are in the game we are in great shape.”
First round matches for the district championships will begin Saturday, Oct. 29.
Pittston Area 3,
Hazleton Area 2
After winning its first two games Wednesday, the Patriots dropped the next two against Hazleton Area, forcing a third and deciding game Wednesday.
In the final game, Pittston Area outlasted the Cougars, 15-2, to take the 3-2 win. Portia Weidlich had 19 service points, two aces and six kills. Kirsten Durling provided 13 kills, 15 assists, nine service points and three aces. Emma Coles and Hayley Lewis each had 10 service points.
MMI Prep 3,
Wyoming Area 0
MMI Prep swept Wyoming Area 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 Monday.
Lauryn Banyas finished with 21 assists, five kills, four digs and two aces, Gabby Kupsho chipped in with two assists, six digs and 13 service points and Maddie Perchak had four kills, one assist, eight digs and three service points.
Meyers 3,
Pittston Area 1
DàNayia Ballard’s 18 kills and four service points led the charge in the Mohawks’ 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22 win over Pittston Area Monday.
Teammate Ezra Perez had 28 assists, nine service points and Alyssa Lane recorded five kills, nine digs and 16 service points in the victory.
Pittston Area was led by Portia Weidlich’s 12 service points, 10 kills and four aces, Kirsten Durling’s 18 assists, seven service points and six kills and Julia Emmet’s one ace and five service points.
