On Friday, September 5, 2025, Stroudsburg girls’ volleyball team went up against Liberty High School. Stroudsburg only had one wish at their home game, and it was to win.
The JV game started at 4 p.m. They warmed up their arms, corrected their passes, and practiced their overhand serves, all within the seven minutes they had. As the second set was wrapping up, with Liberty in the lead, the JV team was at a loss.
Working up the courage to get back into the game, they won the point back. Isabella Trunk, ‘28, served a total of eight serves, never letting them fly out of bounds. Liberty’s side ended up taking the ball back, winning the second set, 17-25.
The Varsity game went to four sets in total and lost the first to Liberty, 19-25. The girls shook off the loss and prepared themselves for the new game.
Olivia Full, ‘26, talked to her teammates on and off the court, encouraging them every chance she could.
Starting off the second set, every ball was a constant rally. Liberty was still in the lead; however, Stroudsburg kept them on their toes with every point acquired.
Isabella Defalco’s, ‘27, stressed opposing players whenever she served and ended the second set, 21-25, for Liberty.
Knowing that if they lost this next set, the game could be over, the Varsity team came in with a new mindset.
Starting the third set strong, Stroudsburg led, 8-4. Liberty took the ball back, putting the girls on edge, now tied. Liberty’s Sofia Condunlis’, ‘28, serves, constantly brought them aces, forcing the win into their court.
Stroudsburg desperately needed the ball back at that moment.
After every fault, the varsity team brought it in and reset, starting every ball anew. That mindset pushed the girls to fight harder than ever.
As hoped for, Stroudsburg gained its spot back in the lead, fighting hard during the rallies, pushing the score to 25-25 in overtime.
The Varsity team fought its hardest in that set, winning 28-26! Two hopeful sets now waited for Stroudsburg. All they needed was the same motivation they had during the last set.
As Stroudsburg moved into the fourth set, they hyped each other up, wanting to fight hard for the next win.
If they didn’t manage to win the set, the game would end; Stroudsburg losing, 3-1, against Liberty.
Pushing for the win, Assunta McCarthy’s, ‘29, blocks rounded up points for the Lady Mountaineers. Liberty won the ball back, Stroudsburg fought vigorously trying to stay in the lead, the score tied at 11-11.
Stroudsburg called for a timeout to reset the main goal: winning this set. Stroudsburg brought back its momentum with the crazy blocks and kills made by Cotoria McCarthy, ‘26, and Madelyn Vargas, ‘27.
The girls were back in the zone.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to win the game. With all their might, Stroudsburg took the loss 3-1. The Volleyball team has another home game today, September 11th, 2025, at 5 p.m.
