By: Kristy Booher Angelo, Associate Athletic Director
For More Info: booherk@gilmour.org
The Gilmour Academy varsity volleyball team proved it was human this past week while still maintaining a perfect overall record. The Lancers entered the week with a perfect 15-0 set record as it met up with two strong programs. Gilmour began the week hosting Lake Catholic and defeated the Cougars 25-20, 25-20, 25-19. The Lancers then took to the road to finish out the week against Brunswick. Gilmour won the first set 25-16, improving its set record to 19-0. The host Blue Devils then gave Gilmour its toughest challenge this season in the second set, tarnishing the Lancer winning streak with a 25-23 defeat of its guests. Gilmour bounced back to win the next two sets by scores of 25-20 and 25-19 to win the match and improve to 7-0 overall with a 21-1 set record.
Despite the small misstep, Gilmour maintained its status in several polls, while taking a big leap in another. They maintained their firm footing in the MaxPreps.com Division II Poll (No. 1), the Ohio Poll (No.4) and the Ohio Division II Poll (No. 1), in addition to the News-Herald Top of the Crop (No. 1). The Lancers also debuted at No. 1 in the Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association (OHSVCA) Week 1 Poll, while the team rocketed up the MaxPreps.com National Poll, which includes teams from every level across the state. The team climbed from its No. 37 spot last week all the way to No. 16 this week. Only three teams from Ohio rank ahead of the Lancers and one will visit Lancer Gymnasium next week for what promises to be a major showdown.
Division I Padua Franciscan (ranked No. 7 nationally) will head to campus on September 24 for what should be a battle of local volleyball powerhoues. Spectators are limited to only two fans per rostered player, however, the games will be streamed live at gilmour.org/live. Start time for the varsity match is approximately 6:30 p.m.
In other volleyball news, outside hitter Sabrina Gremm '22 was recently selected as an Ohio Varsity Player of the Week. She recorded 29 kills, 15 digs, seven aces and six blocks in three matches.
"Statistically, she put together one of her best weeks of the season," said head coach Danny Coughlin.
"Sabrina is an extremely strong player and her physical strength sets her apart," said Coughlin. "She is great at the net blocking and her jumping ability stands out to everyone who watches her play."
Coughlin also praised the junior for her ability to adapt to a new system.
"She brings another great offensive weapon to our already athletic team. She has settled in with her new role and works just as hard as the rest, trying to better her craft," said Coughlin. "Sabrina has fit right in with how we play, how hard we work, and even puts in a great deal of extra reps before and after practices. She has bought into what Gilmour does and how our program functions on the court and in the classroom."
At the junior varsity level, the team is continuing to work hard to earn its first win of the 2020 season. The Lancers have faced very talented teams such as Huron, Lake Catholic and Brecksville, showing incredible improvement with each passing match. Currently, Savannah So '23 is leading the team in blocks, while Rachel Pizzuti '23 leads the team in digs.
At the freshman level, the team went 2-0 last week, beating tough Lake Catholic and Brunswick teams. The Lancers defeated both opponents in exciting three-set matches, beating Lake Catholic 25-11, 22-25, 25-20, and beating Brunswick 25-22, 23-25, 25-18. Strong defensive efforts by libero Anna Saline '24 and defensive specialist Jill Robida '24 propelled the Lancers to victory against Lake Catholic, while impressive service runs from setter Lucia Martino '24 helped the team defeat Brunswick.
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