Holy Child Volleyball

Gryphons Put on a Show for Homecoming Weekend

By Melanie Cane

The Gryphons Volleyball team kicked off the sports for Holy Child’s Homecoming Weekend September 28 in a fan-filled gym. Although they lost to Dalton 3-1, they treated the fans to high–level, competitive action throughout.

The adrenaline–pumped Gryphons quickly fell behind 8-3 in the first set and Coach Jennifer Tracey called a timeout to calm them down. They scored 11 consecutive points after the timeout.

The teams traded points before the Tigers went on a six-point spree. In Holy Child’s 26-24 first-set loss, sophomore Libero Jill McGovern had ten consecutive serves with two aces.

In the second set, the teams went point for point up to six. Then Holy Child commanded play, taking a 22-12 lead. The Tigers claimed the next five points, but after a timeout, the Gryphons won 25-21.

The third set was a nail biter with the teams playing evenly to the end when the Gryphons gave the game away 25-23 on an unforced error.

In the fourth and final set, the Gryphons fought hard for every point, continuing to generate long rallies. In the end, they seemed to run out of steam and lost the battle 25-19. Senior captain and setter/outside hitter Caylee Premoli led the team with ten kills and senior setter Grace Gardella had five assists.

Coach Tracey commended her team for playing at an elevated level and working hard the entire game. She singled out Caylee Premoli, (“who a great game”), and Jill McGovern and Sam McLeod (“who had a good game”).

“We are playing really good volleyball right now, even though this was not the outcome we were hoping for,” she continued. “We just need to make small adjustments on our serve receive and keep our feet moving.”

Caylee Premoli going for the kill.