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Construction begins on $209M commercial project in Hanover Township, Nanticoke

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Centry-old building new digs for Luzerne Foundation

<p class="x_MsoNormal">COVINGTON TWP. &#8212; Winning District 2 Class 2A girls volleyball championships certainly is not getting old for Holy Redeemer.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">When the Royals extended their championship streak to a dozen &#8212; a baker&#8217;s dozen when you factor in Bishop Hoban, which occupied the building prior to the merger that created Holy Redeemer &#8212; they did so with one of the most impressive performances in that run.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">Korren Hicks moved the ball around to a variety of weapons, including Skylar Osenkarski, who produced a team-high 12 kills in a 25-8, 25-11, 25-16 romp over unbeaten Lackawanna League champion Dunmore.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">The 33 points allowed was the fewest against Holy Redeemer in a district championship match since a 2009 rout of Dunmore in the first of six title match meetings between the two schools that stand at the top of their respective leagues.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">The Lady Bucks have finished as Class 2A runner-up in four of the past five seasons, but have been unable to generate any momentum in creating a Lackawanna-WVC rivalry in the sport.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">State-ranked Holy Redeemer showed off what is perhaps one of its best teams ever. The Royals took a 17-3 lead in the first game and a 9-0 lead in the second game at North Pocono High School.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">It was the fifth straight title match sweep for Holy Redeemer, which last lost a game in a final in 2013 against North Pocono.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">&#8220;Since everyone does expect us to win, it makes us work even harder,&#8221; said Livia Moore, one of five senior captains on the veteran team. &#8220;It obviously shows on the court when we come out and perform well.&#8221;</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">Holy Redeemer (22-1 overall) is ranked third in the state in Class 2A by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association. The only loss came to eighth-ranked Delone Catholic during a non-league, tri-match featuring teams with combined 59-6 records.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">&#8220;It&#8217;s such an experienced team,&#8221; Royals coach John Kablick said. &#8220;Most of these girls went to the (state) final four two years ago as sophomores and they all contributed.&#8221;</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">It adds up to a team with many offensive options, something that Hicks understands well as she considers the recipient of her next set.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">&#8220;I&#8217;m really lucky,&#8221; said Hicks, who finished with team-highs of 35 assists and 17 service points. &#8220;It&#8217;s the best thing for a setter. Everyone on the team is a great hitter and I have great passers that I can rely on to give me the ball where I can make these sets.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">&#8220;These girls are athletic and they&#8217;re fast enough that I know I can set them everything at a really quick pace and they can all slam it down.&#8221;</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">Moore, Julia Andrejko, Sarah Kuderka, Sarah Liskowicz and Samantha Carr all had their moments in the well-rounded effort.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">&#8220;I&#8217;m definitely trying to mix it up. We&#8217;re a really heavy middle team, but I&#8217;m trying to spread the sets around and make sure the outsides get their chances, too,&#8221; Hicks said.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">Moore had eight points, six kills and six digs. Andrejko had nine kills and six digs. Kuderka had nine points and seven digs. Liskowicz and Carr contributed eight and five kills.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">&#8220;We just came in with a lot of determination,&#8221; Liskowicz said. &#8220;We feel like this year we can really make a run in the state playoffs and we&#8217;ve been really working hard in practice.&#8221;</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">Osenkarski also contributed 11 points.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">Dunmore made the third game more competitive, taking a 6-5 lead and remaining within 10-9 before Holy Redeemer began pulling away.</p><p class="x_MsoNormal">The Lady Bucks were led by Katherine Hopkins with five kills and Lydia Meade with four assists.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Tom Robinson</p><p>for Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Times Leader Sports at 570-829-7143 or on Twitter @TLSports</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Holy Redeemer girls volleyball wins 12th straight district championship