Delta Write Up
Submitted by VHS JV Volleyball Coach – This past weekend the Valdez Buccaneers traveled north to face off against the Delta Huskies.
The Bucs’ JV kicked off their first set of Friday night with a strong victory! The team established goals during the week to minimize service errors and communication fumbles. In our first set of the night our serving was much more consistent than the previous weekend, with long streaks from both Laken Unger and Averey Franklin. Cersei Strickland led the front line with kills from the middle along with strong attacks from Unger and Peyton Branshaw.
The Bucs quieted down in the next set which allowed the Huskies to hang in the game, at times exchanging point for point. Our team started losing momentum with untimely service errors and quiet communication, however libero Laela Scott and defensive specialists Ava Mitchell and Branshaw helped keep the team in the game with strong passing to our setter, Raegan Lawrence. The Huskies were able to maintain a tight score, but the Bucs pulled off a narrow win in the second set of the night.
Valdez JV livened up in their last set of the evening. Branshaw, Unger, and Scott came out with fierce serves. Lawrence varied our attack on the front line, forcing the Huskies to scramble on defense against outside attacks from Branshaw and fierce swings from Unger in the middle. Bucs closed the match with a 25-19 victory.
The next morning the Valdez Buccaneers came out strong in the first set. Lawrence had a series of 5 aces out of 7 serves, while the team worked together to keep the Huskieson their toes. Franklin dished out a few unexpected tips while Unger, Strickland, and Branshaw peppered our opponents with full swings and roll shots. The Huskies couldn’t catch a break and lost the set 25-14.
The Bucs lost their stride in the next two sets. While we did a tremendous job of staying aggressive offensively, we dropped our focus on serving giving the Huskies nine free points and both wins (21-25 and 22-25). The Bucs cleaned up their act in the fourth set. No drops, aggressive play at the net, and nearly perfect serving (only one error) resulting in a 25-12 win which moved us into the fifth and final set of the match.
Both teams wanted the win, but the Bucs proved that consistency and offensive attacks will raise a team to the top. In a fast game to 15 there is no room for service errors and the Bucs were able to meet that requirement. Our back-row defensive specialists owned the court and allowed Lawrence to feed the net. Shared kills from the front line by Branshaw, Unger, Franklin, and Strickland sealed the victory, 15-11. Well done!
Great work this weekend, Bucs! Two match wins!