Fort Frye’s Aubrie Lang (14), Paige Morgenstern (20) and Ella Dowler (32) look to the bench for instructions during their match at Waterford on Wednesday. (Photos by Kerry Patrick)

WATERFORD — Paige Morgenstern is a veteran volleyball player in the cross-town rivalry known as Fort Frye and Waterford.

She isn’t sure the exact record of the series, but the Fort Frye senior is confident she is on the plus side during her career with the Cadets.

On Wednesday night, the two schools opened the high school volleyball season and required the full five games before Fort Frye managed to pull out a 25-19, 14-25, 25-13, 20-25, 15-8 victory.

Morgenstern led the Cadets with 11 kills and three service aces.

“Going into this match, I knew it was my senior year and I wasn’t losing to Waterford,” Morgenstern said. “I knew it might go back and forth tonight – it’s Waterford. They are your rival. You never know what’s going to happen. We are both going to play our best games of the whole season, so you just have to expect the unexpected.

Waterford’s Brynnlee Pottmeyer (4) gets a shot past a pair of Fort Frye blockers Elle Casto (9) and Ella Dowler (32) during Wednesday’s match in Waterford. (Photos by Kerry Patrick)

“I feel really good about our team. It’s definitely shaky right now, but I know by the time tournaments roll around we are going to be solid and ready to go far.”

In game five, Fort Frye managed to solve Waterford’s front line – an area of the court which peppered the net throughout the first four games. Fort Frye coach Amanda Duskey made a slight adjustment and allowed just two Wildcat kills.

“I changed up the block for a little bit,” Duskey said. “I put our middle that does little more blocking on their big girl (Price). When I have that then I have the defense that reads it a little bit better.”

Otherwise, the likes of Ali Price, Brynnleigh Pottmeyer, Cira Ponchak and Kendyl Johnson gave Fort Frye receivers fits. Pottemeyer as an outside hitter finished with 12 kills, while Price added another 11 kills from the middle.

A mulligan might have been in order for Waterford in games one and three. Behind the serving of Aubrie Lang, Fort Frye pulled out to an 8-0 lead in the opening game. The Wildcats slowly climbed back and staved off three match points to within 24-19. A service error by Waterford ended the comeback attempt.

Waterford’s Baleigh Pottmeyer (2) leads the celebration after a Wildcat point during Wednesday’s match against Fort Frye in Waterford. (Photos by Kerry Patrick)

Game three had a familiar tune as Lang served the first four points. The Cadets eventually built an 11-2 advantage and this time gave Waterford no hope of a comeback as the lead swelled to 13 at 22-9.

Games two and four showed the grit of Waterford – an encouraging sign for coach Juwan Hollins, who basically experienced a crash course the past three months learning about the sport of volleyball.

“I couldn’t be more proud of my girls – they came out, fought and played hard,” Hollins said. “Obviously there were mental mistakes, but we will get those cleaned up and be ready to go tomorrow.

“There’s been some negative aspects about our program the past two years, but the 24, 25, 26 girls and myself included are in the gym every day practicing and putting in the work during the summer. We know what kind of team we have. I think we proved that tonight. We will compete and be competitive, so teams better watch out.”

Pottmeyer was also effective with her jump serve and finished with 12 service points, including four aces.

Fort Frye’s Paige Morgenstern delivers a shot over the net during the Cadets’ win over Waterford in five sets, Wednesday in Waterford. (Photos by Kerry Patrick)

As for Fort Frye’s outlook to the 2025 season, there are areas coach Duskey feels need addressed. She immediately pointed to serves. Unofficially, the Cadets committed 13 service errors.

“We have to get better with our serves,” Duskey said. Overall, we just need to get better at talking and mainly just coming together as a group. We’re looking forward to this season. I think we have a group that can go far.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com.

Waterford’s Elsie Malec makes the right decision while watching a ball sail out of bounds during Wednesday’s match against Fort Frye in Waterford. (Photos by Kerry Patrick)

Waterford’s Brooklyn Cooper, left, and Elsie Malec shade down a return during Wednesday’s match against Fort Frye in Waterford. (Photos by Kerry Patrick)