Oct 29, 2019 4 min read

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NORTH HUNTINGDON – Geibel Catholic won the rubber match against section rival Carmichaels, 3-1, on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the WPIAL Class A playoffs at Norwin High School.

The Gators (15-1) advance to the semifinals against top-seed Bishop Canevin (18-2) on Thursday at a site and time to be determined. Geibel is guaranteed at least two more matches this season, as it will qualify for the state tournament with a win over the Crusaders, and even if head coach Rick Watkins’ team comes up short, they will have a third-place match for the opportunity to qualify for the PIAA tournament.

“We are happy to play another day and we have two chances to get to states,” Watkins said. “With only nine girls, I’ll take that. We will show up, play and do our thing against Bishop Canevin. They are the team to beat, but our goal every year is to win WPIAL and state titles. If that isn’t your goal, then there really isn’t a reason to be here.”

The Gators rallied back after losing the first set, 25-21, with a 25-15 triumph in the second. Geibel won the third set, 25-19, and took the fourth, 25-23.

“This match was exactly what I expected,” Watkins said. “We knew it would be a dogfight, and it was. You think they have them down and they come back, and they think they have us and we come back.”

The Gators used an 8-0 run in the second set for a 9-3 lead. Geibel pushed its advantage to 14-6 and Mikes head coach Julianne Speeney took a timeout. The Gators extended their lead to 20-10 before closing out the set.

“I really believe the second set was the turning point,” Speeney said. “We had a little bit of a better set in the fourth, but we just couldn’t get it going around the middle of the second set.”

The rivals traded the lead several times in the early part of the third set before Geibel took a 13-9 lead that prompted Speeney to call timeout. The Gators held a 12-10 edge to close out the set and take a 2-1 advantage.

Geibel held an early 3-0 lead in the fourth set, but the Mikes (14-2) battled back for a 6-6 tie. Carmichaels tied the set at 17 after a long rally was finished by Emma Hyatt, and the match appeared to be headed for a decisive fifth set with the Lady Mikes take a 20-17 lead, but closed the contest on an 8-3 run.

“I think we could go back-and-forth with Geibel all day,” Speeney said. “That is the way it has always been against them. There are no surprises against them.”

Geibel held a 14-11 lead in the first set, but Carmichaels closed on a 14-7 run for the 25-21 victory. The Gators had an early 3-0 advantage, but the Mikes battled back for their first lead of the set at 9-8.

“After that first set, I talked to the girls, and just told them to stay calm,” Watkins said. “I also told them that we would win this match.”

Geibel’s Shannon Watkins led the match in assists with 37, and added six kills. Teammate Lauren Tomasko had 18 kills.

“I really believe that Lauren and Shannon are the two best players in our section, and that’s not to take anything away from any other the teams,” Rick Watkins said.

The Mikes’ Taylor Christopher led the match in kills with 21, and added four blocks. Teammate Alie McGee had 36 assists and 14 service points.

Carmichaels’ Nicole Ludrosky added 12 kills and Abbey Fordyce had 19 digs. Beth Cree chipped in with 12 digs and Kendall Ellsworth had 14 service points.

Speeney, who was an assistant under Watkins at Geibel Catholic for six years and also played for him, was in her first year as head coach of the Mikes, as her sister, Ashley Shoemaker, took a year off. Speeney was proud of what her team accomplished, but will miss her three seniors in Christopher, Fordyce and Katelyn Meadows.

“I would absolutely come back to Carmichaels next year if given the opportunity to coach with Ashley,” Speeney said. “I love volleyball and being a strong, role model for young girls. It was a tough decision to walk away from Geibel, but I live in Morgantown, and it was a much easier drive to Carmichaels.

“I am going to miss the seniors for everything they have done for the younger girls on the team. I also want to give credit to my sister and assistant coach Emma Lewis, who is in her third year here, for turning the program around and that is why we have had these great matches in front of great crowds.”