Barons burn girls' varsity volleyball

NELSON H. KOBREN GYMNASIUM, Nov. 4—

This story was based on post-game interviews only and not on a first-hand account.

The Bethesda Chevy Chase Barons (BCC) (11-8) defeated the girls' volleyball team (5-12) in the first round of the playoffs. Although the Lady Blazers played well against a high caliber Baron squad, they fell in the end by final scores of 14-25, 15-25 and 17-25. Senior outside hitter Nika Lilley had nine kills.

The match was a game of endurance. According to junior defender Angela Wu, the three sets were similar in play and outcome. Although Blair started off strong in each set and remained neck and neck with the Barons, the team's energy depleted half way through each set and BCC came out victorious. "At the beginning of each [set], we started out pretty strong and kept up with them, so it was as though we had a chance. But when we tied at, like, 10-10, we fell behind and lost,” Wu said.

Junior middle Vivienne Chen echoed Wu's statement. "We started fast and well, but then we started slipping as we got further into the game,” she said.

According to Head coach Christopher Klein, the team remained competitive throughout the game regardless of a few costly mistakes. "We played pretty well,” he said. "But we made a lot of serving and hitting errors. That was the difference. [BCC] was the better team that day.”

Although their season was cut short on Friday, the Blazers are optimistic and excited for next season. Wu explained that the team is only graduating three seniors and the young team has the off season to improve. "We'll come back next year stronger,” Wu said.

Klein pointed out that many girls will play for the co-ed team in the Spring, and he wants to use the Spring team to prepare for the next girls' volleyball season. "My master plan is to build the Blair Volleyball team into a juggernaut,” he said.

Editor's Note: Vivienne Chen is on the Silver Chips Online Art Staff.