On Tuesday, Sept. 9, the Archie Williams girls varsity volleyball team took on the Montgomery Vikings. The Falcons were coming off a win on Sep. 6 placing first in the Nor-Cal Invitational Volleyball tournament last weekend, boosting the team’s morale.
“During the tournament, we were able to practice with so many non-starting players, and give everyone on the team time to play together and in different positions. I think that clearly showed today,” said Archie Williams Head Coach Shayna West.
The Falcons started the game strong, taking a 10-7 lead, but quickly fell into a tight game, 10-10, bouncing back and forth to 11-11. Junior Lydia Battaglia managed to break this stalemate with a kill from the outside hitter position, bringing the score to 12-11. To finish the first set, senior Mackenzie Mann won a long-lasting rally with a kill from the right side, ending the set with a score of 25-13.
(Gabi Rode)
The Falcons started the second set off dominantly with three serves from senior and former libero Alyse Rosen. Later in the set, Alyse had an out-of-position kill, followed by five aces in a row, bringing the score up to 16-6.
“Playing back row all my life to randomly being told I’m going to play front row [was] really shocking, but I have really adjusted to it and it’s really fun up there,” Alyse said.
The Falcons continued to battle the Vikings throughout the second set, but Lydia closed out the set with a kill, ending the set 25-16.
Once again, Alyse started the set serving with a two-serve streak. Senior Felicity Brown and Lydia defended the Falcons lead with a block. The Falcons maintained their momentum throughout the third set with kills from senior Campbell Stoughton and sophomore Ada Nichols, closing out the set with a block from sophomore Gianna Altman.
Lydia has faith in the team’s bond as she believes they will find success in their upcoming MCAL games.
“I’m pumped, our team has such a good bond right now, and we have been getting a lot of dubs, so I think [our season is] going to be good,” Lydia said.
Following their first league game, the Falcons will head into yet another tournament on Saturday Sep. 20th, giving them another chance to showcase their teamwork, energy, and growing momentum against tough competition.
