Haverford’s switch has the Fords hitting cruise control

HAVERFORD — After starting the season with four straight losses, Haverford volleyball coach Alin Bilc decided to switch things up.

The big change was at the setter position, where Bilc decided to rotate sophomores Julia Timoney and Taylor Rosseel.

That decision has made quite a difference for the Fords. They’ve won six of their last seven, including a hard-fought, 3-2 Central League decision over Penncrest at home Monday.

“Absolutely,” Bilc said when asked if going with a two-setter rotation changed Haverford’s fortunes. “There’s no doubt about it. And we have another setter, Abby (Thompson). She couldn’t be here today because she is sick. We’ve been going 6-2 for the past five or six games and it’s worked out well.”

Timoney and Rosseel played a key role as the Fords (6-5, 3-1 Central League) bounced back from a 3-1 loss to Central Bucks West last Saturday, their only loss in that seven-game stretch.

The duo combined for 37 assists and eight aces to lift the Fords past the Lions for the second year in a row. Rosseel led the way with 21 assists and two aces. Timoney had 16 helpers and six aces in the 25-17, 24-26, 25-22, 21-25, 15-20 victory, Haverford’s second five-set win in its last four matches. Timoney was on the service line as the Fords ran off eight straight points to take control of the first set. She had three of her assists and one of her aces as Haverford extended a 16-15 lead to 24-17.

“We communicate well and we’re friends on and off the court,” Timoney said.

That communication has been the key to Haverford’s recent success.

“We talk about where to set the ball, who the hot hitter is and what the defense is doing to get the ball to the correct hitter,” Rosseel said.

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Haverford’s Sydney Jones, left, fires a shot as Penncrest’s Kelly McDonnell, center, and Fiona O’Loughlin defend at the net Monday. (PETE BANNAN-DAILY TIMES)