With the Arcadia High School (AHS) girls volleyball season almost over, the Girls Varsity team has built up an impressive record of 19-3. Their home-game against Glendale High School (GHS) on Oct. 1 has added another win to their record, now making it 20-3.
The game first started with AHS serving, putting the pressure on GHS’ defensive players to get the perfect pass in order to run an offense. This advantage led to GHS not being able to recover the ball, leading AHS to gain a point with an ace. With the game still continuing, many of GHS’ hits weren’t able to make it over the net because of senior middle Tiara Schmid, junior middle Clara Massey, and sophomore oppo Eden Coach blocking the net and preventing those hits from ever touching AHS’ side. AHS won the first set 25-16.
In the second set, GHS served, but with the help of junior libero Jocelyn Bostrom digging up GHS’ outside hit, AHS was able to regain another lead. Not only was AHS’ defense strong, the serves from senior setter Jasmine Del Rio and Massey made it really difficult for GHS to perform a solid offense. With GHS struggling a little on serve receive, Bostrom was able to pick up GHS’ hits easily. These solid digs and saves from AHS backrow players allowed Rio and sophomore setter Angelina Zhou to set any of AHS’ hitters for a solid attack. Many of these saves included Bostrom’s solid pancake of a clever placed tip from GHS oppo and Rio’s clean save of a ball tight on the net. This second set ended with another 25-16 score, with senior outside hitter Ashley Savage finishing the set with a powerful line shot that GHS’ middle back couldn’t pick up.
The third set started with AHS serving, but with GHS placing a clever tip, AHS lost the point. In this set, the Apaches focused a lot more on their offense, while GHS was focusing on digging Massey’s hits. Even without this starting advantage, AHS was able to take this game away from GHS with a finishing score of 25-16. The game finished with a smart tip played by Smchid, preventing GHS libero from picking it up. This game ended with AHS taking all three sets, and GHS taking none.
During the game, many smart offensive plays were made by the hitters of AHS. Players like Savage, Massey, Schmid, and junior oppo Nina Tang were able to score many points for AHS just by hitting the weaker spots of GHS court and going over their blocks.
“I think our team is a lot taller than GHS, so we were able to hit over their blocks and stuff, since they’re a little smaller this year,” said Savage.
“Outstanding, I think that we had a game plan today, and we executed it to the highest level we could,” said AHS Coach Kurt Mulder when asked how he thought of the girls’ performance.
Not only did the coach believe that the players played well, many girls on the team knew they had performed well during this game.
“I think I played pretty well. If you compare my other games, I believe I played well here. But overall, I think our team just did good to help us win,” said junior oppo hitter Tang.
“I think we did well as a team, but I also believe that we could’ve minimized our careless mistakes and beaten the Nitros a little quicker,” said Schimd.
The game was filled with many intense and long rallies, many of which led to AHS’ point and secured an even higher lead. With the help of Bostrom digging up most of GHS attacks, Savage putting the pressure on GHS defense and Massey keeping most of GHS hits on their side, AHS was able to secure this win and increase their record.
