Replacing a star player is never an easy task, but that was the dilemma facing the Catonsville High volleyball team this year.
Those within Baltimore County volleyball circles weren?t sure how well Catonsville would perform this season following the graduation of setter Mallorie Clary, who now plays for the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. But the Comets showed that one player?s exit can open the door for another to step in and shine. That is the case for junior Amanda Parry, who is now running Catonsville?s offense while helping lead the team to a 10-0 record entering Monday?s big matchup with defending county champion Dulaney.
“I got a lot of training under Mallorie, which really helped me get ready for this year,” said Parry, who also was the setter for the Columbia Volleyball Club.
Parry is just one of a number of Comets to step up this year as they look to advance to the state tournament after falling to Towson in last year?s regional final. Senior outside hitters Lija Glemza and Teresa Daley are leaders on the team. Glemza is averaging 3.36 kills and 3.84 digs per game and has a .950 servingpercentage. Daley averages 3.36 digs and has a .940 serving percentage.
Catonsville took a big step toward its goal earlier this season when it swept Towson.
“That Towson win was very important to us,” Glemza said. “People underestimated us coming into this year, and we showed we have a lot of players capable of contributing in their own way.”
First-year coach Dorothy Gill said that while her team doesn?t have the height of Dulaney, it is able to compensate in other areas, like its play along the back row with contributions from senior Christine Sellars and sophomore Shannin Gunther.
“Losing a player like Mallorie to graduation can be rough,” Gill said, “but it also allows other kids to step up and that?s exactly what this team has done this year.”
