Warriors sweep Blair

SEPT. 18, NELSON H. KOBREN MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM-

The Blair varsity girls' volleyball team ended their two-game winning streak tonight against the Sherwood Warriors. The three-set game brought out some of Blair's best playing, barely losing against a superior team.

The Blazers started off strong, winning the first point against the Warriors. Soon after, Sherwood took over the court, spiking balls into Blair territory so hard and so fast, Blair did not even have time to react. With much effort, Blair was able to stay close to the Warriors. During one block, senior Felicia Olawuni hit the floor after blocking a Sherwood spike, leaving the Warriors frozen in surprise. Efforts such as these were not enough to secure a win, and Sherwood won 17-25.

The second set began poorly for the Blazers with Sherwood taking over the game with a quick five-point lead. Blair slowly accumulated points from Sherwood mistakes, climaxing with a head-butt return from junior Olivia Bozik that began Blair's steady rise on the scoreboard. Junior Julie Zhu served the first ace of the night after head-butt Bozik's return, bringing the score to an even 10-10. The Blazers could not keep up and the Warriors soon pulled away, ending the game at 17-25.

The final set proved Blair's spirit with the Blazers fighting to save every Sherwood spike and return every serve. They tied the score at 8-8 after the Warriors took a quick lead, and kept the tie until they reached 10-10. Sherwood began to pull away again, leaving Blair five points behind. It looked like the match was over, Sherwood only needed three points to win, but the Blazers would not give up. "We didn't give up, that's for sure, we had good spirit, that's what helped keep us together," said Bozik. Blair stayed in the game long enough to earn three more points before Sherwood ended the final match 20-25.

The Blazers played beyond expectations against a more experienced team. "It was a competitive match, they have more experience than us and have taller players," said Zhu. Both Zhu and coach Heather Amell agree that although Blair played hard, there is still work to do. "We just need to improve on hits," she said. The feeling after the game was not disappointment with their play but of satisfaction. "We gave 'em a run for their money," said junior Julie Brice.