In a league game against the Homestead High School Mustangs (5-3), the Palo Alto High School Vikings varsity girls’ volleyball team (7-1) defeated the Mustangs 3-2 Wednesday night at home.
The Vikings have been dominating the scoreboards over the past six games, remaining laser-focused on preserving their winning streak.
According to Vikings head coach Chris Crader, the team has been playing well and is hoping to maintain its form in future games.
“We’re still working to try and get better, but so far so good,” Crader said. “We’re hoping to compete hard the last couple weeks of the season to try to win league.”
The Vikings started strong in the first set, with many serves from Paly senior libero Mackenzie Zhao overwhelming the Mustangs’ defense. The Vikings quickly pulled ahead, leading 15-8 midway through the set, and secured a 25-14 victory.
While Viking morale was high, the Mustangs fought back in the second set, tying the Vikings 17-17. Homestead freshman outside hitter Katie Hamburger defended many of the Vikings’ offensive hits. The Mustangs barely surpassed them with a score of 22-25 at the end of the set.
According to sophomore outside hitter Maura Hambly, the Vikings had to get their heads back in the game.
“There was a period of time when we were just really down on ourselves and were more focused on mistakes than moving forward,” Hambly said. “We were able to work on that by talking with each other.”
Paly senior setter Sophie Mies said she felt the similar energy.
“I never really get nervous because I have a lot of faith in our team,” Mies said. “We hate losing and love winning so we know when to play better while under a lot of pressure.”
Mies’ confidence was reflected in the third set when the Vikings started with a lead of 16-11. The Mustangs knew they couldn’t back down, and managed to add eight more points. However, it wasn’t enough for them, and the Vikings won the third set, 25-19.
Refusing to give up in the third set, the Mustangs lead 5-1 as they dominated the Vikings. After several kills, the Vikings saw themselves losing at a devastating 14-25, leading the game to its fifth and final set.
With the teams tied, 2-2, the Vikings and the Mustangs knew that the winner of the final set would take the match, so they both gave it their best. Hambly felt the anticipation and anxiety as the game kept going.
“All the little things mattered in these moments and our defense and the serve receives were what I was trying to focus on,” Hambly said.
After numerous consecutive blocks and repeated serves, the Vikings’ pulled out a victory, 15-12, maintaining their win streak.
Crader reflected on the game and what improvements can be made to better his team for the future.
“We showed some resilience when things weren’t always going great, and I think we’re still trying to work on being a bit cleaner,” Crader said. “I think our errors are just a little it too high, so trying to stay aggressive, but reduce our errors a little bit.
The Vikings (7-1) will be taking on the Monta Vista High School Matadors (5-3) at Monta Vista High School on Oct 21.