These days, life is good for the Catasauqua girls’ volleyball team.

They entered their match Tuesday against Executive Education with two straight victories, wins over Palmerton and Pen Argyl that lifted them to an overall 2-4 mark this season.

Head coach John Cesanek has been pleased with his team’s growth.

“Even though we got off to an 0-4 start, the girls put up incredible numbers, and some of them surpassed numbers they posted last year,” said the second-year head coach. “As a team, they are serving an average of 88% which is fantastic. We have always been known for our defense and that has not let us down this year, especially against Executive (Education a 3-0 loss) and Southern Lehigh (3-0 loss), where, in just those two matches, they posted nearly 45 digs.

“Our biggest improvement this year is at the net, where we are putting up bigger and stronger blocks. Just about everybody is even getting a piece of the ball and slowing down the hit or completely blocking the ball.”

Cesanek noted the contributions of Delaney Troxell and Makaya Bird, who have over 20 blocks between them, a third of the way to the season totals from last year. Troxell and Bird also have been efficient in kills.

He also cited Delanie “Dpop” Popa, who has been among the team leaders in assists, and Jane Armbruster and Amanda Hunsberger have excelled in digging and passing. Kara Gruver, and Adriana Molinary also both have been consistent overall performers.

The Rough Riders have dealt with their share of injuries this season. Lauren DeLong has been sidelined from the effects of a concussion, and Madison Monberger and Maliya Walp also have been sidelined.

In their 3-0 victory over Palmerton, Delaney Troxell had 14 digs and eight blocks, and Adriana Molinary had 16 digs.

Against Pen Argyl in a 3-0 victory, Jane Armbruster and Amanda Hunsberger each totaled 16 digs, and Cesanke was happy with his team’s aggressive attack. He stated that among Delaney Troxell, Makayla Bird, Jane Armbruster, and Delaine Popa, they combined for 21 aces and 17 kills.

You can read more in the Roughie Roundup to the right.

The Roughies will end play this week with home matches against Notre Dame of Green Pond Wednesday, and Lincoln Leadership Academy Saturday.

They will have their sights set on returning to district play, where they had a 16-year drought until last season.

“We just have to keep working,” added Cesanek. “We continue to progress and gain confidence.”