Arcadia Avoids Upset Against Rival Cresenta Valley in 5 Sets
Article by Christian Romo
The Falcons came close to an upset, but the Apaches stormed back to beat their rivals.
Down two sets to none, the Arcadia Apaches (13-1, 6-0 in league play) defeated the Crescenta Valley Falcons (Record: 8-8, 5-2) (24-26, 17-25, 25-14, 25-23, 15-8) Thursday afternoon in Arcadia. The Apaches followed their tandem of junior Hannah Kennedy and senior Rachel Reedy to victory, leaning on their star hitters in a contentious fourth set that swung to Arcadia’s advantage.
Kennedy recorded four of her fourteen kills in the fourth set, using placement shots to find space amongst CV’s defenders. “They had good defense,” said Kennedy of the Falcon’s back line. “They knew that I liked line [shots], liked angles…so short shots worked for me.” Reedy notched a team-high nineteen kills and four blocks, showcasing her skill beyond hitting. “When we were able to get a block, it boosted our energy, and we were able to take it from there,” she said.
Reedy did not have the match’s best performance, however. That distinction goes to CV senior Patty Kerman, whose ferocious left-handed swing converted a match-high 22 kills. The Apaches struggled to contain Kerman’s attacks, which jolted the Falcons bench into frenzy each time a spike landed. “You just have to go up with confidence and take the biggest swing you can,” said Kerman. “That forces them to put the ball back over.”
Arcadia eventually found a way to put the ball back over consistently, though it came after a first set comeback where the Falcons scored seven straight on match point to stun the Apaches. CV rode their confidence and eight kills from Kerman to take the second set as well, pushing them to the brink of an upset victory. It wasn’t enough, however, to beat the league-leading Apaches.
With the loss, the Falcons fell to third in the Pacific League, while the Apaches retained their top spot. Kerman, however, anticipates a different result when the Apaches go to CV for the final game of the regular season: “Arcadia should watch out. We’re comin’ for them.”
Arcadia visits Burroughs next Tuesday at 3:30 p.m., while the Falcons host Muir at the same time.
READ MORE: Arcadia Apaches Volleyball on MaxPreps