California rallies past Carmichaels, earns semifinal spot
California’s Annalise Gillespie (left) and Ina Hemlock go for the block against a shot by Carmichaels’ Aubree Ferek
Carmichaels’ Madison Pratt (31) tries to get the ball past California’s Marissa Bitonti
California’s Annalise Gillespie (16) goes for the kills against Carmichaels’ Grace Kerr (4) and Kristina Aeschbacher
California’s Adeline O’Savage tries to get the ball past Carmichaels’ Taylor Christopher (3) and Madison Pratt
California girls volleyball celebrate a 3-2 win over Carmichaels in the WPIAL A quarterfinals at Peters Twp. High School
McMURRAY – The reasons that some fans showed up at Tuesday night’s volleyball match between Carmichaels and California might have been to celebrate Halloween.
Or maybe they knew the history of this rivalry.
Twice before, these two teams met and they battled to a max five-set outcome.
This time would be no different, only a little more dramatic.
California rallied from two games down, won the next two, then roared to a 15-4 rout to chalk up a hard-fought win in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class A playoffs at Peters Township High School.
The win sends California into the semifinals against either top-seeded Bishop Canevin.
This is the first time California has advanced this far since 1982.
“I was confident (we could come back) because they did it to us our (Senior Night) and I just kept saying, ‘Ladies, it’s payback time,'” said Cal coach Rene Pascoe. “I said, “Ladies, it’s our time. It’s our time to do what they did to us. We are going to win the next three.”
The Trojans were sparked by Annalise Gilllespie, a 6-2 senior who made her presence felt from the front of the net and the middle of the back row. It was from the latter spot that she sent a laser over the net that provided a 15th, and final point, in this match.
“It was pretty intense being down two matches, but our team pulls together pretty nice,” said Gillespie. “We all support each other. … We get up and positive and that usually helps us to win.”
Gillespie had 21 kills, five of them from the back row. Ina Helmick had 27 assists. Marlee Renner added three service points.
“She is our rock,” said Pascoe of Gillespie. “Not only is she a good hitter, but she is our emotional leader as well. If she is up, we’re up. That’s why we need to keep her positives.””
Carmichaels was not going to make this an easy night for California. The last time these teams met, Carmichaels roared back and captured the final three sets to ruin the Trojans’ Senior Night.
That loss didn’t sit well with Pascoe.
“I didn’t really have to tell them anything,” Pascoe said of heading out for the third set. “I just said play smart”
Carmichaels, the No. 4 seed, finished one match ahead of the Trojans in Section 2-A with an 11-3 record. Frazier was the champion at 12-2.
The second-seeded Commodores swept Fort Cherry in its quarterfinal matchup but is on the other side of the bracket.
The Mikes fell behind, 16-8, in the first set but an 8-0 run tied it. A 7-2 run gave the Mikes a 23-20 lead. California got as close as 25-24 beofre Carmichaels scored the winner.
California saw a 17-11 lead evaporate into a 25-20 loss as the Mikes attacked the center of the Trojans’ defense.
California finished the third set on a 5-1 run to win, 25-20, and forced a fifth set by scoring the final five points in a 25-19 win in the fourth set.
The fifth set was all California as the Trojans scored the final eight points.
Kristina Aeschbacher had 11 kills and seven blocks for Carmichaels. Aubree Ferek had 10 kills and Taylor Christopher nine.
Thomas Jefferson 3, South Fayette 0:
Thomas Jefferson stretched its winning streak to two and its set streak to six by sweeping South Fayette, 3-0, in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs.
The Jaguars won 25-17, 25-23, and 25-18.
“We actually played better this time around,” said SF head coach Scott Sundgren. “They are a scrappy team with good hitters.”
Thomas Jefferson came in as the No. 4 seed and South Fayette No. 5.