Athens 8th A Junior High Volleyball Takes 2nd Place at NTL Championship Tournament
By: Stephanie Dougherty / October 21, 2024
The Athens 8th A Junior High Volleyball team concluded their outstanding season with a hard-fought 2nd place finish at the NTL Junior High Volleyball Tournament. The Wildcats, finishing the regular season with an impressive 11-3 record, put together a remarkable tournament run, showcasing their determination, skill, and teamwork.
In pool play, Athens secured the 2nd seed in Pool B, splitting sets with Troy, shutting out Towanda and North Penn Liberty, and pushed top-seeded Wellsboro to two close sets.
"Getting out of pool play was a team effort with many impressive moments!", stated Coach Stephanie Dougherty. "Our players stepped up when moments mattered and that included 7th grader, Evelyn Roy, who joined the team for tournament play this weekend. Evelyn executed several critical defensive passes when we needed them and contributed with 2 impressive game winning kills at the net."
The Wildcats' effort in pool play ultimately earned them a spot in the quarterfinals, where they faced off against Galeton.
In the quarterfinal match, Athens defeated Galeton 25-16 in an impressive team performance. Madison Sinsabaugh led the way with five points, including four aces, while Kayla Forbes added five points with three aces. Jonica Walters contributed four points, including two aces, and Emilynn McQuay chipped in with two aces. Eden Fedorchak added one point at the service line to round out the strong serving display.
At the net, Addison Moss recorded two kills, while Emilynn McQuay and Madison Sinsabaugh each added one, helping Athens secure the victory and advance to the semi-finals.
The Wildcats carried that momentum into the semifinals with a dominant 2-set win over Williamson, taking the sets 15-4 and 15-9. Jonica Walters led the charge at the service line, recording an impressive nine points, including four aces. Kayla Forbes contributed five points, including an ace, while Madison Sinsabaugh added four points and an ace. Hailey Smith, Emilynn McQuay, and Eden Fedorchak each contributed to the scoring with strong serves.
At the net, Athens delivered their most aggressive performance of the season, with Addison Moss putting down five kills, Walters adding three, Sinsabaugh and McQuay each contributing two, and Forbes executing a back-row kill to help power the team into the finals.
In the championship match, Athens faced Wellsboro in a thrilling battle. The Wildcats played fiercely but ultimately fell short in two close sets, losing 10-15 and 15-17. Kayla Forbes led the Wildcats with seven points, including an impressive six aces. Madison Sinsabaugh contributed two aces, while Eden Fedorchak added two points with an ace. Walters and McQuay added one point each. At the net, Sinsabaugh and Walters recorded two kills apiece, while McQuay tallied three kills.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with tough rallies and intense moments, showcasing the Wildcats' grit and determination. Standout moments defensively were showcased by the Wildcats' Libero Sorana Marica as well as Katyayini Kinthala, and Kayla Forbes.
Despite the narrow loss in the finals, the Athens 8th A Junior High Volleyball team capped off an exceptional season with their 2nd place finish in the tournament. Their resilience, teamwork, and dedication throughout the season were evident, and the future looks bright for this talented group of athletes.
