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Caravel outlasts Royals in DIAA playoffs

Royals senior Sierra Troyer slams one of her 21 kills in the match. She also bumped 15 digs. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
November 7, 2021

The Delmarva Christian volleyball team went to the wire with a strong Caravel team before falling 15-25, 25-18, 19-25 and 23-25. The Royals had defeated the Bucs Oct. 28 by the same 3-1 score.

Caravel volleyball coach and Cape grad Mike Leclerc was quick to praise the Royals for their effort.

“We are pretty evenly matched,” said the Bucs head coach. “They are a great team. They didn’t lose the game, it was that we were able to execute and win it. They have a lot of really great players on that team and Jim [Berger] is a great coach.”

The Royals were led by senior Sierra Troyer who had 21 kills and 15 digs. Libero Lily Fetterman bumped up 22 digs. Freshman Elaina Millaway scored 14 digs and 11 kills, and served two aces. Junior Tessa Kwiatkowski assisted on 11 points. Makalya Heinrichs bumped 10 digs and assisted on nine points. Evelyn Jensen stood tall with three blocks, five kills and three digs. Senior Olivia Giltner pounded five kills and had two blocks. Emily Jones and Ellie Millaway teamed for three kills, two digs, two assists and a block. Sophomore Maggie Kwiatkowski came off the bench and served key points in a tense situation, pounding two aces and garnering five digs.

“It was a matter of a team playing in system and one playing out of system,” said Royals coach Jim Berger. “We were scrambling all around and chasing after that first ball. Our first touches were so inconsistent that our offense couldn’t get going. Against a good defensive team like Caravel, if your offense can’t get going, you’re going to struggle. We’re not going to let this match define our season. I’m really proud of my team.”

Sophomore Savannah Crouse led the Bucs with 22 assists and three aces. Senior Nicole Rankin had 12 kills and nine digs. Junior Laila Glover had 11 kills and three aces. Junior Lauren Rankin garnered 10 assists. Junior Brooke Holdsworth had eight kills and 11 digs.

 

Delmarva Christian head coach Jim Berger cheers on his Lady Royals.
Royals senior Olivia Giltner, center, celebrates a winning point.
Royals junior Tessa Kwiatkowski serves a winner.
Makayla Heinrichs serves for the Royals.
Royals sophomore Maggie Kwiatkowski pounds a serve.
Elaina Millaway bumps a return.
Caravel’s Lillian Morton, left, and Delmarva Chistian’s Tessa Kwiatkowski received the DIAA Outstanding Student Award before the contest.
Royals junior Ellie Millaway pounds a winner.
Caravel’s Lauren Rankin bumps a return.
Lily Fetterman bumps a service return.
Royals freshman Elaina Millaway makes a diving dig.
Royals setter Tessa Kwiatkowski puts up an assist.
The Royals and their fans celebrate a roof.
The Royals celebrate an ace.
Royals junior Evelyn Jensen taps over a kill shot.
Caravel’s Laila Glover serves one of her three aces. She also garnered 11 kills.
Senior Olivia Giltner taps down a kill for the Royals.
Freshman Elaina Millaway gets major air for a jump serve.
Senior Sierra Troyer uses deception to tap over a winner.
Royals senior Makayla Heinrichs taps over a winner.
Junior Evelyn Jensen makes a save on a Caravel kill attempt.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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