vikingssportsn Hopewell Twp – Hopewell’s Junior Varsity Volleyball Team (7-6) stepped outside its usual competition level for a non-section matchup against Class 5A Montour, giving the young Vikings an opportunity to test themselves against a larger program. While Montour came away with a straight-set victory, 25-17 and 25-21, Hopewell had its moments, showing the ability to compete while gaining valuable experience.
The Vikings opened the first set strong, with Liliana Katcher delivering an early ace, and Lillian Otto adding a kill off a Brooke Otto set. Ellie McCoy and Alyssa Phillips contributed key attacks, while strong serving from Lillian Otto and Bella Cipolla helped Hopewell turn an early deficit into an 11-9 advantage. Abby Babinsack added a pair of kills, but Montour’s strong defense eventually took control, pulling away for a 25-17 victory.
Hopewell again battled in the second set, with Babinsack, Lillian Otto and McCoy providing early offense. After Montour built a 16-9 lead, the Vikings mounted a comeback behind consecutive kills from Lillian Otto, a Babinsack block and strong serving from Katcher, cutting the deficit to 16-15.
Montour responded with another run, but Hopewell continued fighting. McCoy contributed key plays at the net, while Cipolla helped the Vikings fight off multiple match points before the Spartans closed out the 25-21 victory.
While the final result favored Montour, the experience provided another valuable opportunity for Hopewell’s young roster. Playing up against stronger competition isn’t always about wins and losses. It’s about developing confidence, improving execution and building a program capable of competing at a higher level.
Hopewell’s JV squad now finishes the season with 3 straight section matchups vs Beaver Falls, Avonworth & Ellwood City, hoping to finish the season strong.
Here’s a play-by-play recap of the match:
Set #1
1-0 Hopewell on the board first on a long return from Montour
2-0 Liliana Katcher with an ace
3-5 Katcher with a good read on a long serve to stop a run
4-6 Lillian Otto with the kill off a great set from Brooke Otto
5-8 Ellie McCoy with a nice tip to the middle
6-8 Lillian Otto with a great serve, forcing the Montour error
7-8 Otto with an ace
8-9 McCoy places a kill in the back corner
9-9 Alyssa Philips with a strong kill to the corner
10-9 Bella Cipolla with an ace
11-9 Cipolla with another serve forcing the error. Timeout Montour
12-12 Philips with a great down ball for a point
14-12 Babinsack with a kill to the backrow
14-14 A great rally ending with a Montour point
14-17 Montour on a run, Timeout Hopewell
15-18 Babinsack with a much-needed kill. Great pass from Sam Holsinger.
15-21 Montour playing excellent defense on Hopewell’s hitters
16-21 Lillian Otto with a kill
17-22 Montour with a serve error
17-24 Montour gets to set point
17-25 Montour wins Set #1
Set #2
1-0 Ray on the serve. Babinsack with the kill off Brooke Otto’s set
2-1 Cipolla with a good read on a long serve
3-2 Otto with a kill on the line
4-2 Babinsack with a great serve forcing the error
5-4 Otto hits one through the block. A great play at the net earlier by McCoy
6-6 McCoy with a block that Montour returns out
7-6 Lillian Otto with a serve forcing the error
8-7 Philips with a great free ball to the middle for a point
9-10 Babinsack with a nice kill. Nice pass up by Katcher
9-14 Montour on another run forcing a Hopewell timeout
10-16 Katcher freeballs one over forcing an error
11-16 Otto with a kill
12-16 Otto with another kill, this time on the run
13-16 Babinsack with a great block
14-16 Montour with an error. Timeout Spartans
15-16 Katcher with a great serve forcing the error
16-17 Montour with a wide return
17-21 McCoy with a tip to middle to keep Hopewell alive
18-21 Brooke Otto on the serve. Lillian Otto with a kill
18-23 Montour taking control late
19-23 McCoy blocks one forcing an error
19-24 Montour gets to match point
20-24 Hopewell with a point to stay in it
21-24 Cipolla on the serve. Hopewell survives one
21-25 Montour buries a kill to win the set & match
