In the last two years, it’s fair to say, Johnston High School has had Portsmouth High School’s number when it comes to girls’ volleyball. It has defeated Portsmouth three times, including last year’s Division III state championship at the University of Rhode Island.
On Monday night, Portsmouth got its revenge by defeating Johnston in the quarterfinals of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Tournament in Portsmouth, 3-1.
In the first game, Johnston reminded Portsmouth of its dominance. The Patriots seemed rattled. They committed a number of miscues and fell to an 11-point deficit. Johnston dug every Portsmouth kill and, ultimately, took the first game with a score of 25-19.
“We were a little off in the beginning,” said Portsmouth High School head coach Lisa Zabel. “I think it was just nerves.”
The match looked all too familiar. Spectators were reminded of last year’s championship match when Johnston took the first two games, before Portsmouth battled back and forced a game five. The Patriots knew they couldn’t afford to fall in another two-game hole.
Portsmouth jumped out to a six-point lead in the second game, leading 14-8. But, Johnston thundered back and tied the game at 20. The Panthers took their first lead of the game at 23-22. However, Portsmouth took the next three points and tied the series at one game apiece.
Portsmouth, again, took an early lead in the third game. This time, Johnston didn’t have an answer. Portsmouth came out on the winning end on a number of long volleys and Portsmouth’s Hailey Oliveira found success while serving. In the game, she recorded a couple aces and led a four-point swing for the Patriots.
“Hailey is our best setter,” Portsmouth’s Ailish Cafferty said. “She doesn’t let mistakes bother her. We know if we’re in the back row together, we’re going to get a point out of it.”
Cafferty recorded five kills, 23 digs and two aces in the match. Oliveira finished with five aces, 13 assists and 11 digs and Nicole Eggeman had two aces, seven kills and 22 digs.
“We played so well in the first game,” said Johnston head coach Greta Lalli. “I think it was a lot of nerves going on. Portsmouth’s serves got to them and they had the momentum.”
The fourth game was the closest of the match. Johnston battled back from a 6-point deficit and tied the score at 18. It took its first lead of the game at 21-20 and was within two points of forcing a game five. However, Portsmouth didn’t let up and took the game, with the final score of 25-23, and ultimately, the match.
“This team can lose, forget it, come back and win,” Zabel said. “That’s our mentality. We can’t get down on ourselves.”
“It’s feels great to win again,” said Cafferty. “We’re a very dedicated team and we have the ability to fight back.”
Portsmouth now advances to the semifinals where it will host Middletown/Juanita Sanchez next Tuesday night. A win advances the Patriots to the finals that will be played at Rhode Island College.
“We had a great season, an unbelievable season,” said Lalli. “The way we came together and played, I couldn’t be happier. It’s exactly what a coach hoped for.”
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