On Oct. 10, the Issaquah Eagles JV Volleyball won against Mount Si with the overall score of 2-1, continuing their winning streak now to five wins in a row! Their victory could not have been possible without their teamwork and impressive serves, saves, and spikes.
Before a game starts, so many things can go on in the team’s minds. Before the game, No. 9 sophomore Sydney Moon says, “I felt excited and happy.” On the other hand, No. 4 sophomore Brooklyn Marshall says, “Nervous. [The game] It was close last time.” To some, the game might be a close one. However, Coach Maureen Bacon says, “We came to win.” With confidence like that, it is hard to not feel the same before the game starts.
The game started off strong with superb overhand serves from the Issaquah Eagles. However, Mount Si was also determined and skillful in their plays even if they had a few fumbles. At one point, the Eagles were winning with 13-5. However, as the game progressed the points on both teams were relatively balancing out with the Eagles occasionally branching off ahead. However, thanks to teammates like Marshall and No. 7 junior Zoey Schuler’s serves, the Eagles started to gain a greater lead than expected at the beginning of the game. Even though Mount Si definitely had moments where they messed up, the team showed each other admirable compassion and encouragement. At one point in time Issaquah was in the lead with 22-16. There were many close calls that the Eagles could have saved if only they had more time to save the ball, but that only proves that they were against a smart team. Eventually, the Eagles won the first period by 25-16.
The second period started in high spirits for both teams as they prepared themselves for the next period of the match. No. 15 freshman Jorja Bone scored the first point of the match and No. 11 kept on making impressive dives every time to save the ball. The beginning of the match started off really well with the Eagles winning 8-1. By the time of the first time out, the Eagles were winning by 10-1. With such a great lead, we could only hope while sitting on the sidelines that our team would not get their lead to their head. However, now that the score was 12-5 with the Eagles in the lead, you could start to tell that Mount Si was starting to get more focused and determined while the Eagles were possibly getting a bit too cocky. To prove our assumptions to be false, No. 17 sophomore Taylor Knoll’s serve won the Eagles another point, which then made the score 18-8. No. 8 sophomore Jayden Laranang also had superb serves to add to the fact that she was generally playing super well; in all, she was having a really good game. The Eagles won the second period 25-12, adding to their streak of winning two of the three periods. This practically placed victory into the Issaquah Eagle’s hands.
As the teams began preparing for the third match, it was obvious that despite currently losing, Mount Si had admirable determination and optimism. Needless to say, the match was going to be interesting. The match started off with Mount Si scoring the first point and their resolve must have been super strong with the points evening out with Mount Si in the lead by 3-2. Moon eventually scored the third point for the Eagles, further balancing the scores once again. However, Schuler attempted a dive save for the ball, but the attempt was futile, and the opposing team scored. However, the points continued to even out the score at 4-4. The tension was starting to become even more noticeable as the game progressed. However, Issaquah started to gain the lead with 7-5 but Knoll’s attempts to grow the lead were futile as she attempted to save the ball, now that the score is 7-7. No. 12 sophomore Erin Chollman managed to gain the lead with a spike that the other team could not block. However, things continued to remain a close game with 9-9. At one point, a ball was spiraling out of bounds towards the bench, but No. 6 sophomore Hailey Brown blocked the ball from her spot on the bench, truly a sight. No. 3 sophomore Vivian Yi made an awesome save for her team, but her efforts remained useless when the other team scored a point, making the scores 12-12. As the first time out occurs, the Eagles were losing with a score of 12-14. The tables were turning when the score board was 13-18 with Mount Si in the lead. It was clear that the Eagles were trying their best, but Mount Si was playing just as hard as the score board reached 13-23. Mount Si won the third period with 25-15. Despite their efforts, the Issaquah Eagles won with the overall score of 2-1.
Our Eagles were all very happy and relieved to have won the game. Coach Bacon says that he felt relieved that the game was over. Many of our volleyball players also had their own goals and hopes for the game which they were able to accomplish. Moon says that she hoped to win “especially because some of her friends were on the enemy team.” Marshall says that she hoped to win with a greater lead than last time (which they accomplished), and she hoped that they would be able to continue with their winning streak. In all, everyone was able to accomplish a goal that they had.] The Eagles’ victory was not just physical but mental as well.
Now that the game is over, the only question that remains is: what is next? To prepare for Wednesday’s game, Moon says that she is “going to get rest and try to not get tired.” Marshall says, “I’m going to practice my hitting and then just communicating.” Bacon says that the games they play now prepare them for the games that they will have to play in the future. All they can do now is prepare for the best and do their best in their future games like their away game on Oct. 12 against Skyline. Attend their games to show your support and let us hope that they will be able to keep their winning streak.
