Pavich shines in first Benet start

Updated: September 7, 2011 9:25PM

Though it was Brittany Pavich’s first start for the Benet volleyball varsity, she wasn’t really nervous.

That was especially apparent in Game 3 on Wednesday as the 6-foot-2 sophomore middle hitter came through with a series of big plays to help Benet win a tough match 25-22, 23-25, 25-19 over visiting Neuqua Valley.

“There was some pressure, but everyone was supportive right from the beginning,” Pavich said. “I play with these girls in practice every day so I wasn’t really nervous. Tonight, our setter was giving me some good balls to hit.”

With starting senior middles Gabby Pethokoukis and McKenzie Kuhn both out with injuries, Pavich was pressed into service and she was up to the task.

Hannah Kaminsky’s kill gave the Redwings (8-1) a sideout with a 9-8 lead, and that’s when Pavich stepped up.

In the ensuing 6-1 Benet run, Pavich put down four kills and block to give the Redwings some breathing room at 15-9. They were able to maintain their lead the rest of the way.

“Our depth is a strength,” said Benet coach Brad Baker. “I think we were a little fresher at the end. When we have injuries or people are struggling, we can get fresh bodies into the game. Brittany had a fine match tonight. We knew she would be good, just not this quickly.” Jenna Jendryk led the Redwings with 11 kills and another sophomore, Maddie Haggerty added 10 kills. Annie Ferlmann was the dig-leader with 13 and setter Kaminsky came through with 35 assists.

In Game 1 Benet took the lead at 8-7 and held it to the end.

But Neuqua Valley (7-5) came out with a purpose in Game 2 and led 13-12 before Benet rallied to an 18-14 lead.

The combination of energetic play by the Wildcats, , and Benet errors made it advantage Neuqua at 23-20, thanks, in part, to a pair of aces by Callie Huebener. Brooke Antenen closed it out with a kill to send the match into the third game.

“The big thing about our team tonight is that we didn’t get rattled,” said Neuqua Valley coach Kelly Simon. “Our girls didn’t come here to stay close so they’re disappointed. But Benet’s big plays and big kills never deflated them. They just kept plugging away, executing in the big moments when we needed them to.z’

Taylor McKeown led the Wildcats balanced attack with 11 kills, followed by Leighanne Novak with six, while Antenen and Huebener each had five. Kaitlynn Novak had nine digs, McKeown added seven, while Antenen and Cassie Collins had six apiece.

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