Blazers breeze by B-CC

OCT 22, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM-

Blair volleyball relied on excellent team communication, an increasingly strong service game, and a consistently impressive offense to score a victory against the B-CC Barons. The Blazers took the edge early, losing only one game to B-CC and eventually winning the match 25-15, 17-25, 25-20, 25-16.

Tonight's game found Blair dominating early, faltering for one game, and then fighting their way through the rest of the match. This was the exact same pattern the Blazers followed in their victory over Springbrook last night at home. Coach Anne Garrison felt that, while tonight's victory made her proud, a quicker defeat would have been preferable. "I didn't think we should have lost that one game," she said.

Junior Thaissa Souza performed especially well against B-CC, coming up with great serves and sets that allowed senior spikers Simone Viger, Emily Ramsay, and Carey Bartlett to put away numerous key points. Garrison was impressed with Souza's performance. "I thought [Souza] really stepped up. She's got a really strong overhand serve," she said.

Blair began the match with a determination that was immediately apparent. Bartlett and Junior Tina Yang each scored two aces while serving during the game. Blair never gave the Barons a chance to pull ahead, and won the first game quickly after one of Bartlett's aces flew past B-CC's defense.

The Blazers came into the second game with considerably less grit. Coming off an easy first game, Blair allowed B-CC to take a wide 14-20 lead. Blair's service game was visibly struggling. Eight servers lost possession for Blair after only one serve. Along with weak communication, their faltering service game caused Blair to lose the second game by a margin of eight points.

Blair came back into the last two games ready to win. Souza's strong serves became especially important; she served out two rallies which allowed Blair to take and hold onto the lead. Despite good returns and solid serves from B-CC, the Blazers were able to defeat the Barons with margins of five and nine points, respectively, in the third and fourth games.