The way things are playing out so far this Super Volley season, tonight could likely be the last chance for the FH Collins Warrior teams to pickup a win at home.
The winless Warrior squads failed to take in their first wins of the season as they hosted the visiting Porter Creek Rams on Thursday. Both games ended in straight sets.
Although the Warriors took multiple-point leads in all three sets of the girls’ game, which ended 25-15, 25-18, 25-18, the Rams had too many hot-streaks from the service line for the home team to stay in the game - not that the Warriors’ service game was lacking.
“I was happy with our serving that match,” said Warriors head coach Ken Kuni. “That’s usually something that I’m not happy with.”
The Warriors came out strong in the first set, taking a 12-3 lead with a nine-point run on the serve of Marley Kolpin. However, Ram Emilie Nugent put home three aces in a 12-point run to put her team up 15-12. Two aces from Ram Anna Smith then helped close out the set.
“We’re still having problems with our first touches, so it’s something we could work on in practice - getting our first touch up to our setters,” said Kuni. “Our setters are doing well, our hitters are doing well and we’re getting some blocks in, we’re just not leaving our setter with good balls to deal with.”
“That was one of our goals: 96 per cent serving,” said Rams captain Erin Borgford. “I think we reached it. We have quite a few good float servers.”
Continually thwarting Warrior attacks, Rams libero Sam Jarvis was named her team’s Player of the Game.
“She’s lots of fun and always smiling,” said Borgford. “If someone misses the ball she gets mad at herself - she’s competitive and lovable.”
With her never-say-die attitude, right-side hitter Savanna Leary was named the Warriors’ Player of the Game.
“She’s just a hard working player and she never gives up on the ball,” said Kuni. “I tell my other players to never turn their backs on the ball until it hits the floor because you’ll be surprised what she will get to.”
The Rams’ 25-15, 25-20, 25-13 win over the Warriors in the boys’ game marked the first on the season for the team, having let slip a two-set lead against the Vanier Crusaders on September 30.
With all three sets reaching a 12-12 score, the Rams’ ability to close off the sets seemed to be the deciding factor in the game.
“We can play better, but it’s tough to get on a roll against a team like that, that doesn’t have that much experience,” said Rams captain Robin Smith. “They don’t have the experience to get a full game going - the game can’t flow against a team like that.”
The Rams did encounter difficulty late in the second, going down 17-14 on a block by Warrior Tanner Coyne, who also produced a bag full of kills en route to being named his team’s Player of the Game.
“He’s learning how to play a new position this year - he’s playing right-side and power,” said Warriors head coach Shaun McLoughlin. “His whole life he’s been a blocker. I’m quite impressed with how he’s handling it.”
Keeping the Rams a well-oiled offensive machine was setter Jeremy Man, getting named his team’s Player of the Game.
“He’s a first-year setter and he’s actually doing really well,” said Robin Smith. “Just by watching him, no one can tell he’s in his first year setting. Actually, it’s his first year playing.
“He’s got good set selection; he always gives the ball to the right guy.”
Super Volley play continues tonight with the Vanier Crusaders taking on the Warriors at FH Collins. The action starts with the girls’ game at 5:30 p.m., followed by the boys’ at 7 p.m.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com