Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Above: Marne Henderson makes a flying leap to save the ball, with Liz Allemann right behind her. Ronnie Hulce hit the floor behind the ball.
Right: Alumni players and coaches pose for a photo. (Back row, r to l): Dinah Lindsey, Liz Allemann, Jessica Guay, Karen Huwe, Becky Harshman, Ronnie Hulce, Rhiannon Chapman. (Front row, r to l): Brittany Stamper, Krystal Harris, Sarah Pearson, Marne Henderson, Victoria Bly and Wendy Richards.
WAITSBURG - In spite of the defection of the opposing team's coach to their team, the WP Alumni Team was no match for the Lady Cards at Thursday night's Homecoming game. Youth won out over experience with the younger ladies winning the game in a three-set match.
Spirits were high as fans - some unsure of which team to root for - filled the bleachers. The flag was lowered and Mikala Deruwe transfixed the crowd by singing a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. Amidst cheers and applause, senior Enedina Fuentes was honored as the lone 2013 graduating volleyball team member. Both teams were introduced with Fuentes presenting each Alumni player with a rose.
Playing for the alumni team was: Ronnie Hulce ( 2012), Sarah Pearson ( 2002), Krystal Harris (2013), Victoria Bly (2012), Rhiannon Chapman (2013), Jessica Guay (2012), Becky Harshman (1987), Marne Henderson (1987), Karen Huwe (1979), Liz Alleman (1985) and Brittany Stamper (2006). The Alums were coached by Dinah Lindsey (who coached WHS volleyball from 1983-84 to 1992- 93) with Wendy Richards (1986) as Assistant Coach.
The game began with a well placed serve by Huwe which was quickly returned by the Lady Cards and dropped by the Alums, giving WP point one. Caitlin Mohney served next for the Cards. Her serve was returned with an aggressive spike by Hulce -- again returned by WP and dropped by the Alums.
The Alumni team - several without kneepads -- fought hard and gave it their all. Henderson made a flying leap across the court in an attempted save in one play and took a ball to the face in another. The Alumni "supporters" were a tough crowd. "Get with it ladies!!" was repeatedly heard emanating from the stands. Alleman, however, had a private cheering section, fully decked out in "Liz is #1" and "Go Mom" T-shirts.
The Alums lost set one 24 - 10, but fared better in set two. WP took a quick lead with a score of 7-1, but the Alums dug in and brought the score to a competitive 8-4, before again falling back. With the score standing at 15-8, screams and laughter filled the stands and court. To the shock and dismay of her team, WP Coach Angie Potts, whipped off her jacket to reveal a #3 Alumni uniform and joined play on the opposing side of the court.
Potts performed admirably, setting up balls, serving consistently and making digs. Final score for set was a respectable 25-19 in WP's favor. The Alums attempted to get creative in set three, with Harshman saving an errant ball with a set from the bench, a move that was denied by the refs. Good- natured heckling, poking and even hair pulling between players from under the net between plays failed to garner referee intervention, however. WPs Samantha Fedderson dished out the killer serve of the season to wrap up set three with a final score of 24-17.
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