NTL VOLLEYBALL: NEB CONTINUES SUCCESS WITH LARGELY NEW ROSTER (2021-11-28)
Northern Tier Sports ReportNortheast Bradford may have had a lot of new faces, but it was another strong season for the Panthers, as they returned to the District IV, Class A semifinals.
NEB went 13-5 on the year, and posted some strong regular season wins, including wins over eventual district champions Canton and Wyalusing.
NEB won a pool, and reached the semifinals at the Williamson Tournament to start the year. They opened match season play with three straight wins - Wellsboro, Athens (3-1), and CV (3-0) - before losing to Williamson (3-0). That followed with a win over Troy (3-0), and tough five set loss to Towanda.
They would then go on another 3-match win streak, beginning with a 3-1 victory at home over Wyalusing.
They came off that run with a 3-1 loss to the Rams on the road, but bounced back with a 3-1 win over the eventual District II, Class A champions Blue Ridge.
The Panthers would finish strong, winning four of their last six matches, including a 3-1 victory over Williamson on senior night, and a 3-0 sweep against Canton on the road.
In the playoffs they took a set off the eventual champions, and state final four team, Canton, but dropped three sets in a row to end their season.
NEB was paced by one of the school's best players inr Emily Susanj, who finished her career with over 500 kills and 500 digs. Fellow senior Megan Kovacs showed off her improved all around game, while also being strong at the net.
After those two it was a lot of new faces - all freshmen and sophomores - and they rose to the challenge as they filled their roles.
Lauren Lewis and Emma Neuber filled the outside hitter roles, while Lewis and Gabby Susanj took over the setting. Kiarra Delaney, Toni Herb, Alexis Corter and Adrian Chobot all all some varsity game action, as well.
Looking ahead the youngsters have big shoes to fill with Emily Susanj and Kovacs graduating, the future is bright with this core having at least two years left together.
