In a commanding performance, the Unionville girls’ volleyball team handed Downingtown West its first loss of the season, winning in straight sets during a Ches-Mont League matchup on March 4, 2024. This victory follows Unionville’s previous win over Bishop Shanahan, solidifying their position as a formidable contender in the league.
Unionville began strong, taking the first set 25-14. Despite a more competitive second set, which ended 25-20, the visitors maintained control throughout the match, finishing with a decisive 25-12 victory in the third set. With this win, Unionville improves to 4-0 in the Ches-Mont League and 5-0 overall, while Downingtown West falls to 2-1 in the league and 4-1 overall.
Unionville’s head coach, Stephanie Dunn, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It always feels good to get a win and to be undefeated. But, we know there’s a lot of work to do. We’ve played in some tournaments, and there are a lot of good teams out there.”
The Van Deusen sisters played pivotal roles in the match. Stalena Van Deusen led with 12 kills, while her sister Holland Van Deusen contributed 26 assists and seven kills. Dunn praised the team’s middle blockers, Maeve Stokes and Lucy Weeber, for their impactful play at the net. “We’re very fortunate to have some strong middles,” Dunn noted. “Both of them are very dynamic. They put up big blocks.”
The first set began tightly contested, with both teams tied at 2-2 before Unionville gradually gained momentum. Downingtown West’s frontcourt players, including Maya Sanders, Amiah Ross, Leah Hampson, and Mitchell Fallon, set up strong blocks, making it difficult for Unionville to score. Yet, the Unionville players utilized strategic placement of shots to find gaps in the Whippets’ defense. Stalena Van Deusen recorded three kills in the final moments to secure the first set.
The second set proved to be more challenging, featuring seven ties and six lead changes. Downingtown West took an early lead, but Unionville responded with a series of points that brought them to set point. Despite a brief resurgence from the Whippets, Holland Van Deusen sealed the set with a decisive point.
Dunn anticipated a strong response from Downingtown West in the second set, stating, “When we come out like we did in the first set, teams respond. They start to figure things out.” The focus, she emphasized, is on maintaining consistent performance throughout the match.
The third set mirrored the earlier competitiveness until Unionville surged ahead, scoring six consecutive points off Genna Gaughan‘s serve. They reached match point at 24-12, with a service winner from Holland Van Deusen ending the contest.
“It’s great,” said Stalena Van Deusen regarding the team’s unbeaten status. “Hopefully, it can last all season.” Looking ahead, Downingtown West will seek to rebound against West Chester Henderson on March 6, while Unionville aims to continue its winning streak against Kennett on the same day, followed by a matchup against state semifinalist Padua Academy of Delaware on March 8.
This emphatic victory underscores Unionville’s resilience and skill, marking a significant moment in their season as they strive for continued success in the Ches-Mont League.
