MATCH RECAP: Bishop McLaughlin sweeps Berkeley Prep in 3 sets

By: Ross Van De Griek

SPRING HILL- On Tuesday night, the Bishop McLaughlin Hurricanes volleyball team responded from a tough loss to nationally ranked Santa Fe, with a convincing 3-set win over Berkeley Prep. The scores were 25-23, 25-20 & 25-21, as Bishop McLaughlin improves to 10-1 overall on the season & 1-0 in District 3A-5. The loss drops Berkeley Prep to 6-5 overall & 1-2 in District 3A-5.

Tonight, was the first time in school history that Berkeley Prep & Bishop McLaughlin have ever met in volleyball. Bishop McLaughlin head coach Douglas Chinchar called after the match, "A key & important win" starting off their district play off in the right direction.

Bishop McLaughlin led most of the way through the opening set, getting huge kills from junior Audrey Koenig & freshman Maddie Snider. At one point, Bishop McLaughlin led 19-11, where the Hurricanes went on a 7-3 run. However, Berkeley Prep would go on a little rally, cutting the deficit to 23-19, from a few Bishop unforced errors. Bishop McLaughlin wouldn't look back though & took the opening set, 25-23.

The second set started a little back & forth, as Berkeley Prep sophomore Lucca Dunser had two of her four aces of the night, in the middle set. Bishop McLaughlin would go on a run & take a 14-9 lead, from a couple key blocks by junior Audrey Koenig. Bishop would score 6 of the next 10 points, to make it a 20-13 Hurricane lead, that was caused by a couple service errors by Berkeley Prep. Berkeley Prep would spark a little rally, but Bishop McLaughlin's kills were too powerful, as the host Hurricanes took the second set, 25-20.

Berkeley Prep started off the third set, with some key digs & assists by sophomore Olivia Rabinowitz. Berkeley Prep would have the lead for a good portion of the third set, but Bishop McLaughlin head coach Douglas Chinchar got his team together & said, "This match is in our hands, now let's finish."

Bishop McLaughlin didn't look back, as they would control the rest of the third set, but Berkeley Prep didn't make it look easy. Bishop McLaughlin would hold on & take the third set, 25-21 & win the match 3-0.

The road ahead for Berkeley Prep: Berkeley Premier Tournament (9/20-9-21)

The road ahead for Bishop McLaughlin: Berkeley Premier Tournament (9/20-9/21)

Official Stats for Berkeley Prep: Ava Swain (10 kills, 5 digs), Natalie Bono (13 digs, 4 kills, 1 block), Lucca Dunser (4 aces, 7 digs, 6 kills)

Official Stats for Bishop McLaughlin: Maddie Snider (15 kills, 1 ace, 2 blocks), Audrey Koenig (12 kills, 2 aces, 5 blocks), Ali Waldon (9 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace)