Instant Classic:Bellefonte and MC battle in marathon volleyball contest

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: August 29, 2024

Photos by Tim Weight
By Kenny Varner

BELLEFONTE- Two young teams met Thursday night in a battle of MIfflin County versus Centre Counties as the MIfflin County Huskies traveled to Bellefonte to due battle against Bellefonte.

Battle they did as the two played in a marathon contest that took more momentum shifts than one would expect this early in the season.

The non-league contest went over 2-hours and when the last whistle blew, the Red Raiders outlasted the Lady Huskies (25-18, 20-25, 23-25, 25-13, 16-14).

It was a night of exceptional volleyball by both team as Mifflin County battled Bellefonte going the full five sets.

“It was a battle. They (Mifflin County) are a good team. Kelly does a really good job with them. I am very proud of our young team,” said Bellefonte coach Monica Smith. “We stayed in it the whole time. They never gave up.”

Bellefonte got strong efforts from the front line by outside hitter Kiera Clarkson. Clarkson had five service points, 10 kills and 36 assists on the evening. Teammate Colbie Frailey also had the hot hand finishing with five service points, seven kills, and 36 assists as well.

Both were all over the court in the Lady Raiders victory on the night.

“I told them in the huddle afterwards to not hang their heads. This was a great volleyball game,” said Mifflin County coach Kelly Ashton. “We didn’t come out on top tonight but it could have gone either way. I saw a lot of grit from them. When they were down they didn’t let it get to them. We had two game so far but this is absolutely by far much better playing that I’ve seen so far in our little short season right now. But I think it’s an indication of what’s to come.”

Standout performances tonight for Mifflin County came from team captain Riley Hine with a career-high 14 kills, 16 digs, and two blocks; Captain Maggie McMullen with eight kills and four digs; Jamilee Gilbert with five kills, 2 aces, and 25 assists. Sophomore Ella Hartzler showcased her bright future with 4 aces, 5 kills, and 2 blocks and Libero Emily Porch locked down the back row with 15 digs.

Tied two games apiece, the final set proved to be just as exciting as the other four before it.

Bellefonte notched the first points of the abbreviate contest, scoring on a side out.

Sadie Ripka picked up the service point as the Huskies returned the serve just wide of the line.

Trailing 2-0, MIfflin County forced a side out, putting the ball in Jamilee Gilbert. Gilbert had a strong game from the line, as a setter, and also hitting the open spots on the floor with her soft hits in the middle.

Gilbert went to the service line and notched a point, tying the game at two.

But Bellefonte forced a side out as they refused to give up the lead.

The Lady Raiders made it a 4-2 advantage as Frailey notched an ace .

Back rallied the Lady Huskies as they picked up another side out thanks to a cross court slam by

Emmaleigh Harmon.

However, Bellefonte returned the favor, picking up a side out their own, keeping it as a 5-3 advantage.

Once again, Mifflin County cut it to one when Hine blasted a shot that made its way through Bellefonte defenders.

The momentum continued to waver back and forth when Bellefonte got the ball back on a long serve by the Huskies.

The Red Raiders possession once again remained short as Mifflin County got the ball back via a net serve.

Stepping up to the service line, Maggie McMullen tied the game at six.

The two teams would again change possessions.

Mifflin County took its first lead of the game at 8-7 via a blast by Harmon and a service point from Hine.

Bellefonte once again tied things at

8-8 B as they forced the Huskies into a long return.

Ella Novitsky put the Lady Raiders back ahead as they were able to find the middle open.

The two teams would exchange leads and ties until late in the match.

Tied at 13, Bellefonte was able to go ahead on a strong front row block by Clarkson.

With the game winding down, the Huskies tied the contest once again as Bellefonte forced a net serve.

With the tie, Bellefonte decided to regroup to make a plan of action by calling a time out.

Bellefonte goes back ahead by one, putting the ball in the hands of Clarkson who would put the game to a close on a Jordan Putnam block.

In the opening game, Mifflin County muscled out a hard fought first game winning 25-18.

Bellefonte bounced back taking game two and three by scores of 25-20 and 25-23.

Trailing 2-1, Mifflin County regrouped in the fourth game. The Lasy Huskies refused to go away and had momentum on their side winning 25-14, setting up the drama that would take place in the fifth and final set.

Mifflin County won the JV contest , winning 2-0 moving them to 2-1 on the season.

The Huskies took both games 25-12 and 25-22 in sweep of the Lady Raiders.

Bellefonte 3, Mifflin County 2

MC 25 20 23 25 14

BE. 18 25 25 14 16