Volleyball digs deep
Girls varsity volleyball takes on tough schedule early in the season
The varsity girls volleyball team celebrate after outside hitter Brooke Stephens gets the kill. The team then proceeded to win against Oviedo.
The tension was everywhere in the gym, as the crowd anticipated the final serve. It was game point for the girls’ varsity volleyball team against Oviedo. The serve was hit and it led to a long rally back and forth, which left everyone guessing when someone would make a play. Libero Mayte Camacho dived across the gym floor for the dig which in turn led to the kill, winning the game.
The girls now hold a record of 5-4 after their win against hometown rival Oviedo. The game was close, with the team winning three out of five sets.
“Oviedo is our biggest in-town rivalry,” Hitt said. “I was so happy and thrilled that the team was able to work together and come out with a win.”
After last year’s loss to Oviedo, the team as a whole felt they had something to prove going into the game. “A relief,” was what setter Brielle Mullen used to describe beating Oviedo.
“It felt incredible to beat Oviedo because of how much we lost to them last year,” outside hitter Brooke Stephens said. “We were able to show them how much better we have become. Stephens not only led the team with 29 kills, but also broke the school record of kills in one game by nine.
“It was really exciting after we won our home games,” Camacho said. “Everyone was jumping up and down, and the student section came onto the court to celebrate.”
The season home opener was against Winter Springs. The team won in the fifth set of the game. Camacho had 24 digs and a 2.07 pass percentage, leading the team to victory.
“We worked very well together,” Camacho said. “The blocks didn’t go up when a spike was made against us, we were then able to communicate and I got the dig. This play allowed us to win the fourth set.”
The team started off with a tough schedule early in their season, according to head coach Juanita Hitt. In the first couple weeks, they won against Winter Springs, Oviedo, and attended the Nike Tournament of Champions placing 8th.
At the Nike Tournament of Champions, the girls had a record of 3-4 which led them to place eighth overall. It was a three day tournament over Labor Day weekend. The girls played teams from in and out of state.
Setter Jaycie Bryce had 95 assists throughout the tournament while Stephens had 54 kills.
“I was proud of our team because the majority of the teams we played were very good competition,” Bryce said. “We were able to stick with and beat some of them.”
At the tournament according to coach Hitt, the record does not give the team justice to how good they are. The team played different competition who were nationally ranked in the top ten and the girls were still able to hold their own.
“One thing I have noticed about the girls is they will never give up no matter what is happening,” Hitt said. “Through every point and set, they fight through it.”
The team’s hopes are high to make it to states and have great success, according to Camacho. The team wants to match past years where they have won a state championship or have had great achievements.
Competition and winning play two big roles in sports. From going against hometown rivals to teams that are top ten in the country, the girl’s favorite part about it all is the fans.
Their next game is Tuesday, Sept. 14 against Lake Howell. It will be an away game and tickets can be purchased at Gofan.com. Lake Howell Silver Hawks vs Hagerty Huskies | Volleyball Tickets | GoFan
“We are pretty strong this year,” Mullen said. “The chemistry is great on the team this year and I think we have a chance of making it to states.”
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