The team takes one for CR North skipper

By Steve Sherman
Sports Editor
While their head coach was in the hospital having a baby, the Council Rock North girls volleyball team came through for their skipper in a big way. The Lady Indians opened league play by disposing of perennial Suburban One League (SOL) National Conference power Pennsbury in four games Tuesday night at the Rock while Kinsey Lynch (pictured, right) was at St. Mary’s Hospital giving birth.
North needed overtime in the first match but got off to a quick start by posting a 26-24 triumph. The Falcons rebounded with a 25-17 win in game two to even things up, but the Indians responded by winning the next two, 25-20 and 25-14.
“It was a total team effort,” said assistant coach Lisa Stark, afterward.
North senior setter Jackie Davies led the way with 32 assists. Junior middle hitter Bailey Dowd added 10 kills to the Rock’s effort with Caroline Anderson contributing eight kills and Sarah Kiely posting nine. Rachel Friedman and Dani Borgia each added 20 digs.
The Indians warmed up for their league season the previous weekend, placing third at the Creason Classic which was held Saturday, Sept 5 in Harrisburg. After going 4-2 in pool play, the Lady Indians defeated New Oxford, 25-13, in the quarterfinals before falling to Whitehall, 25-23, in the semis.
Whitehall went on to win the tournament, defeating Cumberland Valley, 25-22, in the championship.
Earlier in the tourney, North came back from a 12-22 deficit to outpace Cumberland Valley in game one and also defeated CV, 25-22, in another match between the two schools.
Afterward, Davies and Dowd were named to the All Tournament Team. Davies had 105 assists, 7 kills and 30 digs in the tourney. Dowd added 49 kills on the day.
“Jackie Davies, our senior setter, is fantastic,” stated Stark. “Junior right side Bailey Dowd is unstoppable.”
Also for the Rock, Caroline Anderson had 22 kills, 33 digs, 9 riks and 9 blocks. Dani Borgia added 21 kills, 46 digs and 16 riks. Rachel Friedman kicked in with 29 kills, 44 digs and 12 riks with Kristin Sargente adding 16 aces.
Making their performance in the tourney even more impressive was the fact that the Indians were missing senior captains Sarah Morrison and Sarah Kiely, who were out of action with injuries.
According to Stark, that didn’t stop the two Sarahs from contributing to the Indians’ success.
“Our senior captains, Sarah and Sarah, were so supportive and helped their team as if they were on the court with them,” said Stark. “No one was louder than Sarah Kiely from the bench.”
Additionally, Lynch, on the back end of her third trimester, was not permitted by her doctor to attend the tourney.
“She was shocked by that news--almost as shocked as her doctor when he found out that she was still coaching,” stated Stark. “He couldn't believe it.”
The docs wanted the head coach close to home for the big moment, which came around 4:45 a.m. Sept. 9. Mother and child--a 7 pound, 1 ounce bouncing baby girl named Kya Marleigh--are resting comfortably.