EC lose back-to-back games, miss playoffs
Volleyball continued their run through the second half of section play, taking on two of the hottest teams right now in the 2A classification - Shenango and Laurel. The Wolverines came into this week knowing they needed a BIG win against Laurel and some help along the way, whether it be an upset against Shenango or Beaver in the following week. Unfortunately, the Wolverines came up short in both matches this week, ultimately eliminating them from playoff contention.
The Wolverines were the last remaining team still alive in the section as Beaver Falls, Riverside, and Mohawk were eliminated last week. The Wolverines opened up section play on the week against Shenango, a team that continues their undefeated season.
TUESDAY - SHENANGO
The Wolverines may have played their best volleyball in ALL aspects on the night, but came up short in straight sets to lose 3-0 to the Wildcats. Shenango improved to 11-0 on the season after the match, while the Wolverines fell to .500 on the season at 7-7 (5-6). The front court action by the Wolverines was the best all season while the underclassmen stepped up on the back row, keeping the score more competitive the second time around in this matchup.
THURSDAY - LAUREL
With the loss on Tuesday to Shenango, the Wolverines knew they had to beat Laurel no matter what while needing some help in the last week of play. Unfortunately, the battle against the best team in 2A volleyball took its toll against the Wolverines as they suffered their worse loss on the season just two days later against the Laurel Spartans. As the Wolverines continued to fight in each set, the Wolverine crowd at Laurel High School could just tell the team used most of their energy in a tough battle just two days prior, and that hurt the play of the Wolverines. Meanwhile, the Laurel Spartans may easily be the hottest team in 2A (other than Shenango) as they have pulled upsets across the board and now see themselves in third place, holding the tiebreaker against Neshannock.
With the two losses, the Wolverines fall to 7-8 (5-7) and are now officially eliminated from playoff contention. That means that Shenango, Beaver, Laurel, and Neshannock have all officially clinched playoffs in the section with all four teams being very competitive and no doubt will make some noise in the upcoming playoffs.
The Wolverines season is not all done as they could play spoilers to the number two seed in the section as they still have a matchup next Thursday against the Beaver Bobcats. But before that, the Wolverines will travel to Central Valley on Monday for a non-conference game while coming back home in the split schedule Tuesday night versus Beaver Falls.
ECS will have live coverage Tuesday night at home as it is also Senior Night for the volleyball team. Be sure to pack the Big Gym Tuesday night as we will send off Seniors’ Morgan Hooker and Alyssa Donley. Congrats to the entire team and good luck during the last week of the regular season!
