Thursday, October 22, 2009

Ferguson Knocks off Krop to clinch first GMAC Title

Ferguson has come closer each of the past three seasons to becoming the dominant girls' volleyball team among public schools in Miami-Dade County.

With a few more performances like Wednesday, it will achieve that goal.

The Falcons secured their first GMAC volleyball championship by beating Krop, 25-21, 25-14 at the Palmetto High gym.

Ferguson (17-4) won two earlier matches against Killian and Hialeah to advance to the final before outlasting the Lightning (16-2), which had not lost a match to a Dade team this season.

``Another year together has made all the difference,'' Ferguson coach Greg Shanower said. ``They all played club, and have gained a maturity level that allows them to compete like this.''

The last time Ferguson had played at the Palmetto gym was during last season's Class 6A regional semifinals when the Falcons were eliminated by the Panthers.

The entire roster from that squad returned this season and has used that setback as motivation to complete the task of advancing to the state tournament for the first time.

Setter Kristin Walewski, one of 10 seniors on the team, led the Falcons with 20 assists and two aces in the championship match. Danielle Pohl recorded 12 kills and five blocks, and Mackenzie Webster finished with seven kills.

Their efforts helped Ferguson remain ahead in the first game after Krop had pulled to within two points at 19-17.

The second game was more one-sided as Ferguson scored the first four points and eventually built a 19-9 lead.

``We know that as seniors this is our last shot,'' Walewski said. ``When we're out there we try not to stress. We know if we play on the same page, we'll come out strong.''

To read the full story from The Miami Herald, please CLICK HERE

MORE GMAC VOLLEYBALL

• GMAC semifinal -- Ferguson d. Killian, 22-25, 25-11, 15-4: Alex Walewski eight kills, three aces; Valerie Mejia six kills, three aces; Alex Beverly seven kills.

• GMAC semifinal -- Krop d. Varela.

• GMAC quarterfinal -- Ferguson d. Hialeah, 25-10, 25-18: Alex Beverly nine kills, three aces; Mackenzie Webster five kills; Kristin Walewski 24 assists.

• GMAC quarterfinals -- Varela d. Norland; Krop d. Coral Park; Killian d. American.

No comments: