Jacksonville Fl- It looked as if the visiting Ponte Vedra Sharks would get the best of Bishop Kenny, building an impressive 24-21 first set lead. However, the Lady Crusaders would not only mount a comeback to win the set, but they would sweep the match (3-0) over the Sharks. In the process, Kenny would make an early statement in the 2023 season, that they’re back and better.
Kenny’s resilience was on display early on which is the true mark of a champion. Ponte Vedra’s Ava Grall and Chelsea Sutton were aggresive at the net scoring on kills and tips. They’re play made it difficult for Bishop Kenny early on.
Yet, Kenny’s Camdyn Labyak, Natalie Navidi, and Claudia Stockard would all make points as the Lady Crusaders made a furious comeback to get the win in the first set 26-24.
Kenny’s condifence would spill over into the next set, as Navidi executed an ace, increasing their lead to 7-4. Navidi, a senior excelled in her outside hitter and opposite hitter role, striking the ball with tremendous force making it difficult for Ponte Vedra to counter.
Kenny would win the seond match 25-18. Stockard stepped up big on defense, along with Elizabeth Austin who scored the deciding kill. She is another senior outisde hitter that makes BK very dangerous on offense.
In the final set, Austin got the scoring started for the Lady Crusaders again. An impressive showing considering the fact that Ponte Vedra’s twin towers of Chelsea and Morgan Sutton (6’4 and 6’3 respectively) were formidable at the net blocking several shots.
Bishop Kenny would play stellar defense as well. Sky Fick would join Stockard blocking shots for them. It made way for Kenny to hold off a comeback by Ponte Vedra. Both teams made runs and both teams scored point, however, in this fast paced competitive game, only one team could win.
Bishop Kenny would be that team, winning the final match, and game by scores of 26-24, 25-18, and 25-19. Ponte Vedra falls to 0-1 on the season. After a trip to the FHSAA Final 4 in 2022, it looks like Bishop Kenny (2-0) and head coach Suzanne Winkler are the team to beat in 2023.
