Coach Angela Webb, from the central valley in California, does not let anyone prove her wrong when it comes to her volleyball team. However, there’s a price to pay on the volleyball court; coach Webb’s words and rage ended up costing her a yellow and a red card by the end of the night.
Still a couple of angry referees and spectators didn’t stop the Tulare Union High School Lady Redskins (4-5-0, 1-0 EYL) from grinding down on the Granite Hills High School Lady Grizzlies (11-8-1, 0-2 EYL) on Wednesday, Sept. 23, and claiming a victory, 3-1.
Granite Hills High School setter, Jennifer Landers gets ready to set up front row player Natalie Congdon.
Photo by Marissa Martinez
After a highly aggressive front row player for Tulare Union rolled her ankle during an intense rally within the first match the remaining players were forced to throw the injured player out of their thoughts and finish the night off just the way the planned it out – with a win.
The injury of a top player always shakes up a team and for the Lady Grizzlies this was a key element for the night when it came to finding unity on Granite’s side.
“It’s scary to have to keep on playing while there is someone on the floor injured,” Alcantar said. “We kept on playing until the whistle was blown, we couldn’t do much else.”
Front row players Emily Fechner and Vanessa Alcantar focused on finding the empty spots on the Lady Redskin’s side and working with the rest of their teammates on the court.
The mentally tough girls were key contributors to the first match, along with excellent defensive from setter Jennifer Landers, Zoe Kisling, and Deanna Alamillo.
The fighting Lady Grizzlies worked until the last serve and won the first match, 25-23.
Alcantar finished the night with the high of five kills for Lady Grizzlies, while Fechner chipped in two with an additional high of seven blocks.
Granite Hills senior front row player Ashlyn Lopez.
Photo by Marissa Martinez
Although there were no injuries in the second match tempers were seen and heard all throughout the Granite Hills gymnasium from the Tulare Union coaches. This was just enough to turn the tables around and give the Lady Redskins what they needed; a win.
The Lady Redskins kept a lead throughout the second game and finished off the Lady Grizzlies, 25-21.
In the third match the Lady Grizzlies came together and worked as a team to try and bounce back from the previous defeat. Regardless, the Lady Redskins used their offense to squeak by their opponents, 25-23.
A new strategy emerged from within the Granite coaching staff. Coach Bri Yorba and Rich Lambie decided to use a double block as an attempt to slow down the pounded ball coming from the Lady Redskin’s hitters.
The strategy wasn’t enough to gain a win for the Lady Grizzlies.
The fourth game was claimed by the Lady Redskins, 25-23.
“I personally think that blocking is one of the hardest things in volleyball,” front row player Natalie Congdon said. “You really have to focus in on the ball and watch the hitter’s shoulder. You always want to do your best because you have to realize that if you don’t slow down the ball the back row is going to have a tougher time making the pass.”
Landers cleaned up with a high of 12 assists altogether.
“I really wanted to win tonight,” Landers said. “We just lost to Monache so it’s hard to take another loss within the same week.”
On the defensive side Kisling had nine digs and Alamillo came in with six.
