Berkeley Springs volleyball team wins twice

The Berkeley Springs High School Volleyball team tasted victory twice last week, beating Hancock on Monday, October 1 and East Hardy on Wednesday, October 3.

It was just what the doctor ordered after the Indians' recent struggles, although their losses were to some of the best teams in the tri-state area, including the top rated team in West Virginia, Class AAA, Hedgesville.

Berkeley Springs hosted Hancock on October 1 and defeated the Lady Panthers in three games by respective scores of 25-23, 25-13 and 28-26.

"We really needed this win to get over our mid-season slump," said Indian coach Phil Hofe. "It always takes on another meaning when we play a rival like Hancock. And, they played us tough. Their defense was stingy and we had to work for the win."

Courtney Jones, who was recognized for becoming a member of the Berkeley Springs 500 Kill Club, led the Tribe with 14 kills, nine points off of serve and seven blocks.

"Courtney was a dominant factor at the net, which helped determine the win," Hofe said. "She has had quite a career and reaching the 500 kill milestone is a great accomplishment."

Kasi Jackson added eight assists, eight points off of serve and three digs, Kelsey McCoy had seven digs and five kills, Amber Booher provided six kills and four digs, Alyssa Spielman had 10 digs and Meghann Ambrose five, Corrine Martin added 11 points off of serve, McKenzie Ambrose had 12 assists and Lesley Yost scored five points off of serve for Berkeley Springs.

The Indians then traveled to East Hardy and prevailed in

five games to make the long trip back from Baker a pleasant

one.

Berkeley Springs won the first two games by respective scores of 25-23 and 25-19, before losing the next two 25-11 and 26-24, respectively. In the fifth and deciding game, Berkeley Springs beat the Cougars 15-7 to improve to 6-9 on the year.

"It was the tale of two Berkeley Springs teams," Hofe said. "We know that for us to win we have to have a strong hitting game and in three of the five games we made that happen. Our serving on the night was 88% which certainly helped the cause. Courtney (Jones)

and Amber (Booher) had great hitting nights and Courtney came through with 10 blocks. I liked the way the girls fought back. We were down 11-3 in

the fourth game and came back and tied it at 24-24, before

losing. The girls really dug deep and pulled out an enthusiastic win to take the match."

Jackson had 15 assists, seven points off of serve and four digs, McCoy had eight digs, six kills, three blocks and seven points off of serve, Jones had a monster night with 17 kills, 10 blocks and 15 points off of serve, including three aces, Booher had 11 kills and two blocks, Meghann Ambrose had eight digs, Spielman had 17 digs, Martin had four kills, while McKenzie Ambrose had 17 assists and 10 points off of serve for the Indians.

Berkeley Springs plays at Hancock tonight, October 10 and at the Martinsburg Invita-tional this Saturday, October 13.