With a four-set win at Beachwood on Thursday, the Cardinal Huskies clinched at least a share of the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division title.
“It’s huge but I know we will win it outright,” said Cardinal coach Karisca Chambers. “It’s finally time for Cardinal to fully shine. They have worked too hard for this.”
The Huskies beat the Bison, 23-25, 25-3, 25-13, 25-19 to improve to 17-2 overall and 12-0 in league play with two conference matches left on their schedule.
A win or Berkshire loss will give the Huskies the league title outright.
“The time and commitment the girls put into the offseason really showed their dedication to their team and this program,” Chambers said. “I actually bought shirts for the girls who had the most attendance in the offseason and honestly it was most of the team. They were constantly contacting me asking, ‘Coach, when is the next workout session or open gym?’ It was really rewarding to experience drive like that.”
Cardinal got off to a slow start in the first set then regrouped and dominated the rest of the match.
“I’m proud of how the girls were able to pick themselves up after we lost the first set,” Chambers said. “It definitely fueled our fire and we came back and beat Beachwood, 25-3. I’m proud of all the girls tonight.”
The Huskies set several season-highs along the way.
Camille Cummins led the team with 31 kills, the most any player has recorded since Chambers took over the program in 2015.
“It was so fun to watch her play today,” Chambers said. “She was very aggressive and also played smart.”
Faith Peters posted a team and season-high 10 blocks.
“She was like a brick wall up there and almost every time she touched the ball it was a hard block,” Chambers said. “That was key in our win tonight.”
Cummins also added 12 digs and four blocks, Peters finished with 13 digs and six kills and Ashley Gubanyar added 25 digs. Haley Domen recorded 50 assists, 11 digs and four service aces and Taylor Soltis and Alaina Strever pitched in with 21 and 17 digs, respectively.
The Huskies travel to Crestwood for a non-conference play on Saturday then host Richmond Heights and Wickliffe next week to close out the regular season.
“I’m very excited to play Crestwood Saturday,” Chambers said. “They are a very tough team and each year we end up going five with them. That would be a huge win for us.”
