Bella Clevenger Shines as Princeton Defeats Hall in Thrilling Match

A remarkable evening unfolded at Hall High School on October 12, 2023, as the Princeton Tigresses triumphed over the Hall Red Devils in a closely contested volleyball match, finishing with scores of 25-19, 21-25, and 25-10. The match coincided with Breast Cancer Awareness Night, making it a particularly poignant occasion for one of the players.

Sixteen-year-old Bella Clevenger, a junior at Princeton, is a cancer survivor who has faced significant challenges in her young life. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at the age of two, Clevenger has been cancer-free for over ten years. The evening held special meaning for her, as her great-grandmother is a breast cancer survivor. “Not only did I have cancer, but my great-grandmother I love had breast cancer as well. She’s still with us,” Clevenger shared.

When cancer survivors were recognized during the match, Clevenger hesitated to step forward. Hall seniors Caroline Morris and Natalia Zamora presented her with a rose and a heartfelt hug, prompting tears of appreciation. “It was just nice I was included,” she said, reflecting on the emotional support from her teammates.

Princeton’s head coach, Andy Puck, expressed his pride in Clevenger’s journey. “We talk about pushing through adversity in sports. This girl and her family had to push through adversity in life,” he stated. “Yeah, it was emotional for her.”

The match itself was a rollercoaster of momentum. After dropping the first set, Hall surged in the second, with a late rally that included a string of six consecutive points to take a 17-12 lead, highlighted by a kill from Zamora. Princeton fought back to tie the set at 20, but Hall ultimately clinched the second set, leveling the match.

In the decisive third set, Princeton regained control, launching multiple scoring runs that included 6-0 streaks. Ava Kyle and Keighley Davis each contributed five-point serving runs, pushing Princeton to a commanding 24-8 lead. The match concluded with a Hall hitting error, sealing the win for Princeton.

“We played smarter, not harder,” Puck noted, emphasizing a shift in strategy that strengthened their defense. “We just seemed a lot more disciplined and kind of shored up our defense a little better.”

Hall’s head coach, Carolyn Foster, acknowledged her team’s struggles in the final set. “I thought we played well in the first two games, especially with our passing, but we just didn’t hit as well as I would have liked,” she commented. Foster pointed out that fatigue had taken a toll on her players as they prepare for the postseason.

In the opening set, Princeton established an early lead, capitalizing on strong performances from players like Caroline Keutzer, who recorded 22 kills throughout the match, and Makayla Hecht, who contributed 30 assists and 10 digs. Davis and Lawson also played key roles, adding six kills and ten kills respectively.

As both teams look ahead, they will be focusing on refining their skills for the upcoming postseason. For Clevenger, the night was a reminder of resilience and support, both on and off the court. The victory solidified Princeton’s standing while also celebrating the strength of individuals who have faced significant life challenges.