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October 26, 2004 Section:
Sports Page: 6C
CLASS AA
QUARTERFINAL Alex Myers Staff The Journal
News
Vernon punctuates
Ossining win
RiverHawk's power is
too much for Admirals to counter
Alex Myers
The Journal News
OSSINING - In a match dominated by
PatriciaVernon, it was only fitting the
senior ended the contest with a ferocious spike.
"I had to let it all out," Vernon said.
"It all built up for that one hit, and it felt great."
Vernon had 21 kills, six blocks and three
aces for the RiverHawks (16-2) in a 25-16, 25-16, 25-19
Class AA quarterfinal victory over Arlington yesterday.
"We played well," Ossining coach Victor Olmedo
said. "We're trying to improve our defense, and I saw a
lot of things that looked very good."
Although eighth-seeded Arlington (9-5), led by
Christine LaGuardia's 14 digs, was able to slow
Vernon at times, in the end she was too much of a
force to be stopped.
"They're pretty scrappy," Arlington coach Maria
Greenwood said of the RiverHawks. "But No. 3
(Vernon) is their main hitter. If anyone is able
to stop her, it will be an uphill battle for them."
Ossining's biggest scare came in the second game
when the Admirals took a 5-0 lead. It was then that
Vernon and fellow senior captain Melissa Awerdick
took over. Awerdick won six points in a row to regain
the lead, and the top-seeded Riverhawks never looked
back.
"We were a little shaky and nervous, but we
picked it up right away," Awerdick said. "We didn't let
it bring us down."
Coach Olmedo was also impressed with how his
co-captains handled an adverse situation.
"Our seniors have been with me for four years,"
Olmedo said. "They're outstanding leaders. They got in
everyone's face and they told them, that `you need to
pick up this game.' That's the kind of leadership you
need at this time."
Awerdick displayed hope for improvement after the
game, as well.
"We've been playing our hardest, and working
every single game up to our ability," Awerdick said.
"But I know we can play better."
Jenna Cohen added two clutch kills for Ossining
in the third game, the second of which made the score
22-14.
Ossining will be at home on Thursday against the
winner of today's quarterfinal between No. 5 John
Jay-East Fishkill and No. 4 Clarkstown South. Another
win would get the RiverHawks one step closer to their
ultimate goal.
"I want to (win it all), it would be so amazing,"
Vernon said. "My team feels the same way. We all
want to go far."
Interestingly, if South wins in its quarterfinal,
it would set up a rematch of last year's semifinal,
which the Vikings won. Olmedo and the rest of Ossining's
squad would love a shot at redemption.
"It could be a rematch and that's what we're
looking for," Olmedo said. "This time we're at home and
the top seed."
Reach Alex Myers at
alemyers@thejournalnews.gannett.com or 914-696-8410.
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