In a thrilling showdown on September 3, the Windber girls volleyball team secured their third consecutive victory to start the season by defeating the previously unbeaten Meyersdale in a gripping five-set match. The final scores were 25-22, 25-17, 20-25, 17-25, and 15-12, marking a significant achievement for Windber, as this is only the fourth time since 2010 that they have opened the season with a 3-0 record.
Windber's head coach, Amanda Manippo, acknowledged the challenge posed by Meyersdale, who was ranked tenth in the state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association. "I looked this week and Meyersdale was ranked tenth in the state, so I knew we were coming into something big tonight," Manippo stated. Her team demonstrated resilience and teamwork, especially in the crucial fifth set where they had to dig deep for energy to secure the win.
The match was characterized by intense competition, particularly in the first set, which featured 13 ties. Windber managed to clinch the opening set by scoring the final three points. The second set saw Windber take control, never trailing and appearing to be on their way to a straightforward victory.
Meyersdale, however, fought back in the third set. After trailing, they surged ahead with a 6-0 run to take a commanding 23-16 lead, ultimately winning the set. The Red Raiders continued their momentum into the fourth set, establishing a lead that they maintained to force a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, Windber quickly established a 6-0 lead, thanks in part to the exceptional serving of sophomore Veda Grillo, who tallied 19 service points, 22 assists, and 21 digs throughout the match. Despite Meyersdale's efforts to come back and tie the game at 12, Windber's senior Liliana Grillo delivered a crucial kill, helping her team score the next three points to secure the victory.
Reflecting on the win, Liliana Grillo expressed pride in her team's efforts, stating, "We knew we could do this together as a team. We’ve been working all summer and training together. Starting 3-0 is amazing. It shows how much this program has grown. We’ve been working so hard to get to this position."
In addition to Grillo's performance, Windber's roster showcased a balanced attack, with sophomore Addie Slatcoff contributing 17 kills, senior Taylor Dzurko adding six kills and four blocks, and freshman Sophia Baer collecting 26 digs. The team's blend of underclassmen and veterans is shaping up to make them a formidable opponent as the season progresses.
Coach Manippo highlighted the team's depth, noting, "We have a variety from freshmen to seniors. The Grillo sisters play in tandem with each other, which is really helpful for our hitters. The two-libero system is something new for us with sophomores Ariana Shuster and Riley Mock. This win is going to help us get ready for three matches next week on the road." With their strong start, Windber looks poised to continue their success in the upcoming matches.
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