Published on September 6, 2009
Zach Poisal
Staff writer
The undefeated Pirates used the same recipe for success to stay perfect Friday night against Long Beach City College, taking the match in 4 sets (25-23, 14-25, 25-18, 25-23).
The Pirates (2-0) were led by their three designated team captains. Sophomore Justine O’Connor chipped in 37 assists, while freshman Taylor Edsell added 19 digs, and freshman Shelbee Younce trailed right behind her with 17 digs.
The first set ended in style, as battling back seemed to be what the Pirates were good at. When faced with a six point deficit, they responded to tie the game at 16 apiece. They capped the 10-1 run by taking the lead 20-17, sealing the deal with a booming kill by Younce.
Down one set, the Vikings came out focused and ready to play in the next set. The Vikings took a commanding six point lead half way through, extending the lead to as much as 12 points before taking the second set 25-14.
There seemed to be a trend in each of the first three sets, with the third set starting off with an early lead for the Vikings. This deficit did not seem to rattle the young team at all, however, as the Pirates battled back. The final point came from a flawless ace by Younce, giving the Pirates the third and crucial set 25-18.
Pirates head coach Mindy Arnold-Rodriguez was pleased with the way her team fought back set after set.
“I think they did a really good job,” Arnold-Rodriguez stated.
“It’s hard because volleyball is a very mental game and it’s hard to come back but they came back, served tough and were focused and they did a good job.”
6’ 2” Kayla Phipps was determined that the fourth set would end the match once and for all, helping the Pirates jump to an early 9-5 lead. The lead was short-lived, however, and turned into an 11-9 advantage for the Vikings.
From that point on the Pirates stepped their game up. Phipps started their run by getting a huge block and then finishing the point with a massive kill that set the tempo for the rest of the set. The Phipps kill ended the Pirates drought, setting the tempo the rest of the set, as the battle-tested Pirates held the lead until the final point. Freshman Hannah Stadler’s stellar ace sealed the fourth set 25-23 and the match.
Phipps believed her team responded pretty well to their below-par performances in the first couple of sets.
“I thought we did very well the first game, got down the second game (and won),” she said.
“They beat us pretty badly, then we picked up our energy, and we won and pushed through.”
The Pirates (2-0) look to keep their perfect season alive when they take on Bakersfield Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Ventura Athletic Center.