by Andrew Briss
photo by Kevin Fleming
Last night the Lady Spartans geared up for a tough match against a much improved Kennedy volleyball team; however the Commanders watched their ship sink, because they were no match to the mighty Spartan.
Even in victory over the Commanders, the Spartan team shows needs of improvement. The Commanders’ crisp sense of communication and passing skills, which TJ wants to improve upon this year, seemed to dominate the Spartans throughout the match. Andrea Shacklock said, “It has taken a while for us to work together, but it is coming along slowly but surely.” Also, Shacklock is dismayed about the lack of fan support. “We need a stronger fan base. It seems like people just come and go as they please and just linger around. We need the support, because it helps us get pumped up and dominate on the court,” she said. The majority of the varsity volleyball Spartans agree with Shacklock, that the improvement of communication is the greatest need.
As the Spartan Ladies were suiting for their meeting against Montbello last week, many varsity girls were nervous about the improved Montbello Warriors’ squad, and how they were going to match up against them this year.
Without hesitation, the first game started with huge serves and key plays, and Montbello came out of the gates with speed and agility. Montbello is said to have the hardest servers in our district, and that they are deadly with speed and agility. This combination of power and athleticism assisted the Warriors as they clinched the first game, winning the set 26 – 24.
With worried looks on the faces of the Lady Spartans’ volleyball squad, the Spartan fans looked anxious for a change in the pace of the game, and the girls responded to the slow start and put on their game faces getting down and dirty. Andrea Shacklock demonstrated leadership with her great sets and pristine focus, winning the second set for the Spartans. With their confidence back, the ladies took the second set 25 – 15 over the Montbello Warriors.
The Spartans seemingly always rise to the occasion, and send their expectations skyrocketing over the competition. Paige Wilson, a junior, who has been in the Spartan Volleyball program for all three years of her high school career, has never looked better. This fall she has been the power of the team with her ability to spike the ball with precision and authority. With that confidence the girls claimed the third game 25 – 13.
However, it is not just the veterans of the squad who are carrying this team to victory. Freshman Shonn McCaffrey, a new prospect for the Spartan squad has done nothing but improve her skills and prove herself on the court. McCaffrey is well known for her quick agility and fiery spirit, lighting the way for the Spartans when they are down.
With the Lady Spartans up two games to one, the girls could see the win right around the corner. With great communication and with skills flashing, the ladies dominated the Warriors in the final set 25 – 18, and proved once again that Warriors are no match to the power and determination of the Lady Spartans.
The next home game is September 25th, against North at TJ. The Lady Spartans beat North in the Regis Gold Crown event this year, and the Ladies are not shaken up one bit about the thought of North tomorrow. Let’s pack the house for this game and show our support for the Spartan Volleyball Squad.
