High School Volleyball: Trinity Catholic sweeps Vanguard for second time this season

OCALA — It was a battle of city rivals on Tuesday night as the Vanguard Lady Knights volleyball team hosted the Trinity Catholic Celtics, the second part of a home-and-home series for the 2022 season.

The Celtics (11-3) ended up sweeping the Knights (7-9) for the second time this season, 25-14, 25-17, 25-18.

Trinity Catholic used its length on the frontline and got kills from seniors Kiana LaBorde and Amelia Fitzpatrick and junior Rose Gravel to finish on a 11-4 run for the win in the first set.

The second set looked to be a runaway for the Celtics as they jumped out to a 10-4 lead behind multiple kills from junior Elayna Johnson and LaBorde. The Knights would fight back to tie the set at 14 behind the frontline duo of Hart and senior Ruby Owen. But the Celtics grabbed back momentum and finished the set on a 11-3 run behind a trio of kills from LaBorde.

The final set started with Trinity Catholic stretching out to an 11-5 lead as Johnson, LaBorde, Gravel and Fitzpatrick were relentless from the hitters’ positions.

Here are the takeaways:

Trinity Catholic looks primed for playoff run with Gravel back

It was a big night for Celtics head coach Jeff Reavis and his team as Gravel returned to play for the first time this season after injuring her knee. Having the junior middle hitter back allowed Reavis to try a different starting lineup with a ton of length up front and switch out different players with opportunities to shine.

“If we’re not predictable, it helps. So, we don’t have to set the same person all the time to do the same things and it’s a good thing,” Reavis said.

A key pattern was that the Celtics would find a way to answer every run Vanguard had and swing the momentum back to their side. Vanguard never led in any of the sets and their longest run of points was four.

“Hopefully we’re good enough at this point in the season to understand momentum," Reavis said. "I’m glad they can do that, and they understand how important it is to maintain a level of play and be consistent.”

Vanguard looks strong at times but needs to be more consistent

Knights head coach Luis Perez was pleased with the way his team fought back but wants more consistency, emotion and energy.

“I just have to keep pushing them to get the best out of them and by having them be good teammates by supporting each other on and off the court," he said. "We just have to remind them that this game is all teamwork and there is no ‘me’ in it. Just got to keep pushing and get to the next level.”

Despite the disappointing loss, Perez has high hopes for the team once its injured players return. He thinks his team has a chance to make a run in the playoffs.

“All these matches are getting us ready for the postseason," he said. "I don’t know what’s going to happen there, but they have a good chance. They just have to get it together regardless of who’s on the court and regardless of who’s playing.

“We just got to be ready for districts, regionals and hopefully a final four.”

Hart led the team with nine kills and two solo blocks while Ruby Owen had six kills.

Amelia Fitzpatrick is a versatile asset that will play a huge role for the Celtics down the stretch and into the playoffs

The senior setter was a menace on the court as she made an impact with setting, serving and notching a handful of kills on the frontline. Overall, she had five kills, a service ace and a handful of assists.

“I really try to be (versatile) because I’m not always going to have a great day," she said. "Say my passing is off one day, I’ll really focus on my setting or if my hitting is off one day, I’ll really focus on communication and blocking just so I can give 100 percent each day, even if I am having a bad day in a specific area.” .

Each time the Celtics needed a big play, Fitzpatrick was in the middle of the action.

“Our most famous saying at TC volleyball, it’s in the locker room about 10 times on our wall, is ‘never get comfortable,’ " Fitzpatrick said. "That means to never get complacent and happy where you are because we can always do better.”

Vanguard’s Sophia Reed is becoming a dynamic force as a senior

The senior setter was third on the team with five kills and had eight assists as she continues to be a multi-skilled player despite playing with a nagging knee injury.

“I’ll do anything, but I love setting, that’s my thing but I mean I love doing everything else because it’s fun.,” Reed said.

Reed was able to find the positive after the loss and has an optimistic mindset towards the remainder of the season.

“I think that we are a great team with a lot of great pieces, but we just haven’t found a way that clicks yet," she said. "Once we get all our pieces back, we will be 100 percent for the first time this season and that’s going to be exciting.

“I also think that we have to get our mindset into a better place of not just playing to play but working towards something like a state championship.”

Looking ahead

Trinity Catholic visits Sarasota Cardinal Mooney on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Vanguard has a quick turnaround as it visits St. John Lutheran on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Trinity Catholic Celtics volleyball team sweeps Vanguard Knights