A sweeping epic
Arundel needs just 3 sets to defeat Maryvale Prep in early-season showdown
Payton Swinton knows about the pressure of playing for the Arundel Wildcats. She also knows it comes with the territory.
The Wildcats used good defense and a timely offense to defeat host Maryvale Prep 25-20, 25-20, 25-19 in an important early-season battle for both teams Thursday night.
Swinton contributed nine kills and three blocks to lead the Wildcats (1-0), who have played in the last three Class 4A state championship matches, winning the first two.
Maryvale Prep (0-1), the IAAM A Conference champion the last two seasons, proved it was up for the challenge most of the night. In the end, however, Arundel proved to be too much.
“Taking the responsibility to live up to the standard that the players before me set is what my goal is,” Swinton said. “It is a lot of pressure, but it’s something I’ve been waiting for and something
I embrace.”
Arundel coach Ashley Yuscavage said the Lions presented a good challenge for the Wildcats in the season opener for both teams.
“I thought Maryvale played great defense and they made us work hard,” Yuscavage said. “I think we have some things to clean up, but overall I was pleased with the effort. We have a few things to work out lineup-wise.”
The Wildcats looked like they would run away with the first set, taking a 10-5 lead. The Lions, though, kept chipping away and eventually tied the score at 15.
Arundel later took advantage of a serving error to take a 20-19 lead. After a tip kill by Brooke Waters and a Swinton kill gave Arundel a 22-19 lead, Lions coach Missy Little called timeout.
Unfortunately, the break was kinder for Arundel, as the Wildcats outscored Maryvale 3-1 to take the first set.
The second set was more dominant for Arundel, as the Wildcats never trailed. Maryvale, behind the serving of Autumn Marinelli, did manage to score six straight points to cut the lead to 22-19 and force Wildcats coach Ashley Yuscavage to call a timeout. Arundel regrouped and took the second set.
The Lions played their best set of the night in the third, as both coaches substituted more to try different lineup combinations.
Maryvale even managed a short lead, using a Victoria Small kill
to take a 17-16 advantage. Arundel, however, got kills from Kiara Harmon, Swinton and Bella Talley down the stretch to take the set and close out the match.
Yuscavage says this team is a little different than what she’s had in the past.
“We’re half seniors and half sophomores and freshmen this year,” she said. “It’s an interesting dynamic seeing the seniors wanting to do their thing but also wanting to encourage the younger players.
“That’s been fun to watch.”
For Maryvale, the loss was a good test as it enters IAAM A Conference play.
“I’m not disappointed,” Lions coach Missy Little said. “For what we had on the court, we did well.
“There was a point in the match where we had one senior out there. They are a really good team, and that showed. My girls are fighters, and you saw that.”