After a slow start to the 2024-25 season, the Huskies have officially earned their first win in coach Michael Chaffee’s era.
After a slow start to the 2024-25 season, the Huskies have officially earned their first win in coach Michael Chaffee’s era.
Despite an 0-3 start with losses to Garrettsville Garfield, West Geauga and LaBrae, Cardinal picked up its first win of the new season in a three-game match against Madison on August 24 in Chagrin Falls.
““Our energy was incredible the whole time; even when we were down, we picked ourselves up after a few points,” said junior captain Ali Puruczky. “We got out of a huge hole and I think that gave us energy.”
The Blue Streaks won the first set 25-21. A hitting error by Madison put the Huskies first on the scoreboard, after which sophomore and right wing Olivia Krebs hit an ace.
The second set started off back and forth, and the Huskies took their first timeout of the set when they were down 15-11.
Veteran libero Shay Roby delivered an outstanding performance at the service line, sparking a 7-0 run, but coach Chaffee had to call his second timeout after falling behind 18-11 and it seemed the Huskies had run out of steam.
A little magic from veteran middle blocker Morgan Csontos proved crucial.
Csontos went on a 10-0 run to overcome a deficit and win 25-23. During that rotation, Csontos scored four aces while the Huskies’ defense forced the Blue Streaks into two hitting errors, including one that secured them the second set.
““It’s really hard to get out of a hole, especially a hole that big,” said veteran setter Maddy Ehrhardt. “After losing the first set and then being in a huge hole in the second, we came out and were so excited to get this win.”
The Huskies won the third set 25-17 and the game 2-1, improving to 1-3 while Madison fell to 1-4 earlier in the season.
“I’m excited about the comeback in the second game of the Madison match,” said coach Chaffee. “Scoring the last nine points was incredible. We were struggling to score points and that point definitely gave us new energy.”
““It was a relief to get our first win together. We have played very competitive games this season and I am very pleased with our performance and our willingness to learn a new system with different roles. It is an adjustment for all of us, players and coaches. I am confident that we will continue to improve.”
After a strong performance against Madison, the Huskies quickly took a 4-0 lead over host team Chagrin Falls. With a kill from the middle by Csontos and an ace from sophomore Natalie Soltis, the Huskies seemed unstoppable.
Chagrin Falls regained the lead 11-10 after a hitting error by the Huskies midway through the first set. A change in the middle for the Huskies proved beneficial after Puruczky was brought out of the middle.
Early injuries to middle blocker Lizzy Lucariello and junior hitter Maggie Grant troubled the Cardinal and required different starting lineups and changes at the beginning of the season.
““We tried a new formation so we could get some of our stronger hitters,” Puruczky explained, “to move in a way that our opponents would block them, so they wouldn’t be constantly chasing them and would know exactly where they were running.”
A back-row kill by Puruczky forced a timeout for the Tigers, who were down 17-12, before Gianna Calabrese read the court and scored two consecutive tip kills.
A few kills from Krebs and Puruczky secured the Cardinals’ 25-19 victory in the first set.
The second set was all Tigers’. A quick 7-4 lead eventually became an 18-11 lead before Coach Chaffee called his first timeout of the set. The Tigers picked apart the Huskies’ defense, including two consecutive kills by setter Audrey Holmes.
Coach Kelly Holtz’s team won the second set comfortably 25-16 and tied the game 1-1.
“Our goal was to find the open spaces on the other side of the court, hit deep corners, throw short balls and play smart volleyball,” Holmes said. “I think we executed that pretty well.”
Another fast start in the third set forced the Huskies to take a timeout after trailing 5-0. Holmes hit two aces in the opening rotation before a hitting error gave the ball back to the Cardinal.
But a balanced offense between Calabrese and outside hitter Anna Topel was too much for the Huskies. Chagrin Falls built a 17-9 lead before taking a timeout to discuss the situation. Late in the third set, the Huskies were within three points, but it was the Tigers who pulled away 25-23 to win the game 2-1.
“We’re looking forward to playing against teams we know and feel are great competition,” Holmes said.
Junior outside hitter Anna Topel led Chagrin Falls with 13 kills on 25 shots, while Calabrese and Anna Michalek added nine and seven, respectively. Topel led with five aces, while Michalek added three blocks to lead the Tigers’ defense. Sophomore Sadie Conrad led the back row with 20 digs, while Holmes added 12. Holmes added her double-double with 12 digs and 21 assists.
The Tigers improved their overall record to 3-2 and will begin conference play later in September. The Huskies began their conference season on August 26 against Grand Valley.
““We’re looking forward to having some home games because we’ve been on the road a lot,” said Maddie Ehrardt. “We can’t wait to get back home.”
During the trio, Cardinal was led by Puruczky with 23 kills, Ehrhardt with 21 assists, Grant with 27 digs and Csontos with seven aces.