By Matthew Nguyen, Staff Writer
In an intense match against the Newport Harbor Sailors, the Barons’ girls’ varsity volleyball team fell short 0-3.
The first set started out bleak for the Barons as they concede the first four points to Newport Harbor due to confusion and lack of communication between their players. But thanks to a multitude of punishing kills from junior Phoebe Minch, the Barons quickly righted the ship and battled back into the match, bringing the set to a close 20-23 score. Unfortunately, Fountain Valley did not finish the job, losing the set in a nail-biting finish with a score of 23-25.
The Barons’ play improved in the second set. The game remained close with neither team being able to pull away until finally, the pressure proved too much for Fountain Valley. Even with senior Emily Yanigahara having dug up a masterful save in order to spark an intense rally, the Barons were unable to capitalize. The Sailors pulled away late within the set in order to steal the match away from the Barons with a score of 21-25.
Fountain Valley went into the third set down 0-2 with slim hopes of winning, yet the Barons still held their heads high. Even after they found themselves down 7-14, they continued to fight valiantly. Led by another barrage of kills from junior captain Minch, the Barons rallied back to pull the game to a score of 20-20. A timeout called by Fountain Valley further increased the tension within the gym as every occupant waited to see who would score the next crucial point. Unfortunately, it would be the Sailors who scored, sparking an onslaught of points the Barons would not be able to recover from. The Barons lost the final set 20-25.
Even with another disappointing loss marked onto their loss column, the girls are still hopeful about the rest of their season. With another win, the girls’ varsity volleyball team could find themselves in the playoffs with a chance to win the championship.
“I think we play Laguna and Newport again later within the season, and if we beat one of them we make C.I.F. So I think thats a [goal] for our entire team,” said captain Phoebe Minch.
Come support the Barons in their next home against Laguna Beach on Tuesday, October 2.
