Volleyball Takes it to Lake Sumter
September 30, 2023

Volleyball Takes it to Lake Sumter

Box Score

By Pat Clines

Leesburg, Fla - The SCF volleyball team (8-6, 4-5 Sun Lakes South) ended their losing funk with a win on the road in Sun Lake Conference crossover play as they defeated Lake Sumter State (10-8, 5-4 Sun Lakes North) 3-1 (25-18, 22-25, 25-16, 25-16).

 
"The energy from the team was absolutely electric," said head coach Lynn Burnett. "While the team had work on some issues over the weekend, we were able to get through it and that made us unstoppable. We have our team back, but even better than before - they are stronger mentally and truly understand the power and influence that the bench has."
 
"I think the team did great," said sophomore Amee Beedle. "We all worked together and worked towards the same goal every point. No matter who was in, there is always maximum effort on the court, which was great to see. It felt really good to also get out of this funk we were in. I think everyone gets somewhat discouraged, but after this win, it motivated us to just keep moving forward and not back. We look to go into our match against St. Pete with confidence and a positive mindset."
 
"Great teamwork and amazing hustle is the best way to describe how we did today," said freshman Teresa Briefeneder. "We made the most out of the scrappy plays and got the opponents out of system pretty well. I'm just glad we can celebrate with a win again. It was much needed for when we step into the game against St. Pete Wednesday with enough confidence and it's now time to start getting back on the winning side of things again."
 
"Overall, the team did really good" said freshman Aleksandra Wrobel. "I thought we played strong, consistent and with a lot of energy, even though we played three straight games. I thought that the win really motivated us to get us out off of this losing streak we were on"
 
The first set was all Manatees as Wrobel would get the team going with five kills to keep the Manatees offense going, while Beedle, sophomore Rachel Carroll and freshman Morgan McGuire continuously played strong in the back row with numerous digs. The Manatees would seal the first set thanks to a double block by Beedle and sophomore Caelan Cook.
 
In the second set, it was a neck and neck battle, but the Lakehawks would secure the set by taking advantage of critical mistakes by the Manatees.
 
Heading into the third set, the Manatees did not want to taste the sting of defeat any longer and quickly rallied together after big sets by McGuire and Carroll to Wrobel, Beedle and Briefender helped the Manatees out before Cook sealed the set with a kill.
 
In the fourth and final set, the Manatees continued to push themselves closer to the mark after kills from Wrobel, Cook, Briefender, sophomore Bailee Perry and freshman Katrina Tallo before a costly attack error from the Lakehawks helped the Manatees seal the deal for the win.
 
Wrobel would lead the way in offense for the Manatees as she finished with a season-high 17 kills, one ace and four digs.
 
"I had so much fun playing today," said Wrobel. "The sets were really good and I was able to tool the block for many points. The advice that from my teammates on the sidelines really helped me find the seams between the block and the defenders."
 
"Ola was really tapped into the bench," said Burnett on Wrobel. "She listened to what open and was lethal from every attack, whether it was a kill from the outside, a quick attack from the middle or tips and sees attacks from the right side. No one was able to stop her."
 
Cook would follow with seven kills, two aces, eight digs and two blocks, while Perry, Tallo and Briefender rounded out the order with five kills each. Perry added 14 digs and one assist, while Tallo added one assist and two blocks (one solo) and Briefeneder lead the front row defense with a four blocks (one solo) and four digs.
 
"I'm very happy to finally see improvements in my blocking for the last few games," said Briefeneder. "It definitely got better and better and I'm happy to hear that the stats show that as well."
 
"Teresa finally found her timing in blocking, especially when she was with Ola," said Burnett on Briefeneder. "She really stepped up and put into place the things that she has learned from the other matches and practices."
 
In setting, McGuire secured another double-double on the season as she finished with 23 assists, 20 digs, one ace and one kill. Freshman Elise Bakken followed with 14 assists and six digs.
 
"Morgan was getting touched on everything," said Burnett on McGuire. "Despite her missing one touch in the beginning of the first set, she didn't miss one since after that."
 
Defensively, apart from Briefeneder's blocks and McGuire and Perry's digs, Carroll lead the back row w tied with McGuire as she finished with a career-high 20 digs to go along with seven aces, while Beedle finished with 17 digs, four kills and one block.
 
"I played really good," said Beedle. "I love playing the back row because I know I can always give my all and go for every ball I can physically get to. Getting a high quality dig to allow a good opportunity for our offense is the best feeling."
 
Sophomores Isabella Rebimbas (four kills and five digs) and Katie Keefe (two kills, one assist, six digs and one block) also contributed in the match.
 
Other Sun Lakes Scores:
St. John's River State (17-8, 5-3 Sun Lakes North) shutout St. Pete College (1-10, 1-7 Sun Lakes South) 3-0.
 
RV Pasco Hernando State (9-7, 5-3 Sun Lakes North) shutout Florida State College at Jacksonville (3-11, 2-6 Sun Lakes North) 3-0.
 
#9 Penasacola State (21-1, 9-0 Sun Lakes North) shutout Palm Beach State (4-13, 4-5 Sun Lakes South) 3-0.
 
Sun Lakes Conference Standings:
North - 
1. #9 Pensacola State (21-1, 9-0)
2. #15 Gulf Coast State (11-3, 7-2)
3. St. John's River State (17-8, 5-3)
4. Lake Sumter (10-8, 5-4)
5.  Florida State College at Jacksonville (3-11, 2-6)
 
South - 
1. RV Pasco Hernando State (9-7, 5-3)
2. SCF (8-6, 4-5)
3. Palm Beach State (4-13, 4-5)
4. St. Pete (1-10, 1-7)
5. South Florida State (2-8, 1-8)
 
Up Next:
The month of October for the Manatees will be majorly at home as they open October with a rematch against St. Pete College Wednesday night, October 4 at 6 pm.