Delaware

How Smyrna spread the ball to win first volleyball state championship

Published

1 year ago

November 17, 2023

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How Smyrna spread the ball to win first volleyball state championship

Smyrna had two days to craft a game plan.

They started with looking inward. If you scouted the Eagles you would know that the offense ran through the big swing of Anna Richardson, a first team all-state selection in 2022. Assuming their opponent was ready for Richardson, the Smyrna coaching staff believed in their final match of the season more hitters needed to be involved.

Right on cue, there was Elise Carter with a pair of momentum-seizing kills in the fourth, state title-clinching set. And there was Eliza Schneider burying the final point in the middle of the Ursuline defense to start the celebration for Smyrna.

“You could see Elise’s energy and Eliza’s energy,” Smyrna head coach Daniel Wandless said. “Those girls were just having fun today.”

Moments after Schneider’s final point, Richardson held a trophy carved to mimic the shape of Delaware above a huddle of her teammates. Smyrna was officially the 49th state champion in volleyball, adding its name to an immortal list that starts with A.I. du Pont in 1975.

They also started a new list. Thursday was the first time that a school from below the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal won the state title.

“This is phenomenal for downstate volleyball,” assistant coach John Trabaudo said.

Years of improving access to club teams and offseason training downstate built to a semifinal matchup Monday at the University of Delaware’s Bob Carpenter Center between No. 2 Smyrna and No. 3 Caesar Rodney. Smyrna won 3-0, led by Richardson’s 17 kills, one fewer than the rest of the team’s kills combined.

Wandless asked his team to assess their performance. Most gave it a C or a C+. They needed an A-game to beat Ursuline, which overpowered reigning state champion Tower Hill after Smyrna cleared the floor Monday.

For an A-game, Smyrna sought balance. They asked setter Abigayle Osborne to move the ball around, especially early.

“We have to get our other people going early so they get comfortable and they feel like they’re a part of the game,” Wandless said. “It can’t just be one player.”

Smyrna hoped that moving the ball around would throw off the Ursuline defense, forcing the Raiders to play “out of system” and giving Smyrna easy balls to counter. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Smyrna worked on a few plays it hadn’t shown yet this season.

Wandless said Tuesday was a rough practice. By Wednesday, they were on fire.

Back at the Carpenter Center against Ursuline, Smyrna leaned on a play called 32. The outside hitters move about 25 to 30% further inside the antenna that stretches up from the net at each end and the middle player runs to the outside. The look can affect the other team’s block.

“That’s what was working,” Osborne said. “Our outside just put it away.”

Carter said her team passed well to Osborne, which then allowed Osborne to pick from several hitters to set.

“I was just focused,” Carter said. “I was like, ‘if you get it to me, I’m going to put it down.’ “

Smyrna won the first set 25-16. They took control of the second set late after a sequence in which Richardson chased down a third hit in the deep right corner and finished the point with a kill at the net from the left side. Three points later, Smyrna took the set 25-22 and had control of the match.

The Eagles had three match points in the third set. Ursuline called timeout trailing 24-22. The Raiders then won 5 of the next 7 points leading to a Smyrna timeout. The teams traded points until Ursuline let two balls go long to win the set 30-28.

It was the first set Smyrna lost in the state tournament.

In the huddle between sets, Trabaudo said the only coaching point was to keep the ball moving. Then there was some joking around to stay loose.

“We told them that you’re here to have fun,” Trabaudo said. “You’re on the biggest stage you can be on in your high school career, go out there and enjoy the next set.”

The Eagles won the fourth set 24-14. Everyone shared in the action. Richardson, Carter and Schneider all had multiple kills. Osborne tapped two sets over in the perfect spot.

“It was relief, excitement, joy, it was everything wrapped in one,” Carter said. “I was in awe. I was crying.”

The players on the court crowded around Schneider as their teammates soared off the bench. They then put the celebration on pause to shake hands with Ursuline beneath the net. After a couple photos, the teams waited in numerical order to receive state champion and runner-up medals. A few cheers erupted as Smyrna players made hearts with their fingers to the crowd.

Then, finally, for the first time Smyrna was announced as volleyball state champion.

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on X @holveck_brandon.

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Delaware

Here are 9 holiday light shows to catch this season in the Delaware, Philadelphia region

Published

4 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Here are 9 holiday light shows to catch this season in the Delaware, Philadelphia region

From walks to drive-thrus, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a holiday light show this season.

Various shows and events are taking place throughout Delaware and across the Philadelphia region this year.

Here are nine holiday light shows to check out:

Longwood Gardens

Spectators of the holiday light show at Longwood Gardens are in for a special treat this year as “A Longwood Christmas” kicks off amid the opening of “Longwood Reimagined.”

The expansion features new spaces like the West Conservatory, which will offer new areas to deck out for the holidays.

Longwood Gardens, located near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, launched its holiday light display on Friday, Nov. 22, and it will run daily through Jan. 12. To make a reservation, visit the sprawling garden’s website.

Address: 1001 Longwood Road, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Website: longwoodgardens.org

Yuletide at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library

Holidays at the Winterthur Museum on Route 52 features twinkling lights adorning the woodlands, a large-scale gingerbread house and an 18-room dollhouse, according to the museum’s website.

The holiday display will be open to the public starting Saturday, Nov. 23, and will run through Sunday, Jan. 5.

You can purchase tickets online or by calling the museum at 800-448-3883.

Address: 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware

Website: winterthur.org/

Holidays at Hagley

Get a glimpse of Hagley Museum and Library around the holidays with a holiday home and garden tour.

The site features a gingerbread house contest, Santa day, holiday night tours and more.

The holiday experience at Hagley runs from Sunday, Nov. 29 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Purchase tickets online to schedule your holiday tour.

Address: 200 Hagley Creek Road, Greenville, Delaware

Website: hagley.org/

Drone show at the Riverfront

The Wilmington Riverfront during the evening hours of Friday, Dec. 6, will host a drone holiday light show.

The free holiday light show will take place on the Riverwalk. For more information about the event, visit the Riverfront’s website.

Address: Michael S Purzycki Riverwalk in Wilmington, Delaware

Website: riverfrontwilm.com/event/drone-light-show

Shady Brook Farm

If you are willing to take a drive for a holiday light display, look no further than Yardley, Pennsylvania’s Shady Brook Farm.

You can drive through the holiday show yourself or take a wagon ride through. The holiday festivities begin Saturday, Nov. 23 and run through Jan. 5, 2025. Ticket prices are per vehicle and vary depending on the day of your visit.

The farm also features Santa’s Village with gifts, treats, firepits and a Candy Cane Lane walk-through.

Address: 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, Pennsylvania

Website: shadybrookfarm.com

Gift of Lights Dover

The Dover Motor Speedway will once again host its drive-thru holiday light show this year.

Tickets are priced per carload at $35 per car and $60 per bus or limo.

Address: 1229 Persimmon Tree Lane, Dover, Delaware

Website: giftoflights.ticketspice.com/gift-of-lights-dover

The Brandywine Railroad

Since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad has displayed model trains, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys as part of its annual holiday display.

The display also features interactive options like “push buttons and foot pedals” so visitors can engage with the train setup.

The holiday display began on Saturday, Nov. 16, and runs through Jan. 5. For more information visit the Brandywine Museum of Arts’ website.

Address: 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

Website: brandywine.org/museum

Holiday Lights Express

Take a festive ride on 100-year-old heated coaches through the Red Clay Valley to see homes decorated for the holidays.

The Wilmington & Western Railroad hosts one-hour evening train rides during the month of December. To purchase train tickets, visit the venue’s website.

For a visit from Santa Claus, be sure to reserve train tickets for the Santa Claus Express.

Address: 2201 Newport Gap Pike, Prices Corner, Delaware

Website: wwrr.com/ride/events/holiday-lights

NOËL at Nemours Estate

Experience the holidays at the Nemours Estate by touring the 77-room mansion, chauffer’s garage and gardens adorned in twinkling lights.

The estate also will feature live music performances throughout the season.

The festivities at the Nemours Estate began Tuesday, Nov. 19 and will extend through Sunday, Dec. 29. Purchase tickets on the estate’s website and reserve your visit.

Address: 1600 Rockland Road, Rockland, Delaware

Website: nemoursestate.org

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

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Delaware

Dolgeville vs Delaware Academy

Published

12 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

N. Scott Trimble

High School football 2024 Class D playoffs: Dolgeville vs. Delaware Academy

Dolgeville battles Delaware Academy at Cicero-North Syracuse Friday, November 22, 2024 for the Class D playoffs. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com)Get Photo

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Delaware

The Delaware Springboard Villages to build a new community center – 47abc

Published

21 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

The Delaware Springboard Villages to build a new community center – 47abc

GEORGETOWN, Del. – The Delaware Springboard Villages announced Friday, that they would be breaking ground on a new community center. Co-founder of the organization, Jeffrey Ronald thinks this new center will bring more unity into the neighborhood.

“Breaking ground on this community center is not just for the participants of the Springboard Village. It’s for the broader Georgetown community where they will have access to job training, life skills like financial planning, communication skills, and healthcare.”

The state-of-the-art facility will feature computer labs, a telehealth conference room, staff offices, and a commercial kitchen. These resources will help guests toward self-sufficiency.

Executive Director, of Springboard Delaware, Judson Malone thinks this can be life-changing for those in need.

“It gives them a completely new perspective, and it is incredible when people come from the woods. It’s almost transformational, their whole outlook changes, and so the community center is going to build on that.”

According to Springboard Delaware, nearly 25% of guests have gained full employment. Around one-third have transitioned to permanent housing. Ronald is excited about the future of the Springboard Villages.

Governor-elect, Matt Meyer supports the organization. Ronald believes this will only grow stronger. “Matt Meyer who spearheaded the Hope Center, has been to the Springboard Village. He has kindly declared, and we think wisely declared, that he wants to replicate this model across the entire state. Hoping to help disadvantaged Delawareans build a better life.”

The villages are located on the property of the First State Community Action Agency behind their Georgetown headquarters. It houses up to 40 individuals.
It is the expectation they come in with a plan to find full employment.

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