The varsity volleyball team won, 3-0, against the Valley Christian Lions on Oct. 20.
“It started off rough, but we got it together,” sophomore Yasmin Gupta said.
Junior captain Alexa Mathisen had the first serve, but immediately lost it. Possession went back and forth until the middle of the set when the Cavs took an 8-point lead. After a timeout in the middle, the Cavs steamrolled ahead and won the set in a jiffy, 25-15.
In the second set, the Cavs had several long rallies against the Lions. Freshman Bella Mathisen was subbed in for sophomore Kyra Petersen, who wasn’t feeling well near the beginning of the set. Mathisen played for Petersen for the rest of the match. Despite the lineup change, the Cavs beat the Lions, 25-10.
In the final set, the Cavs came out strong with a short serving run from Alexa, but maintained a mere two-point lead at first. Halfway through the set, the Cavs gained a 10-point lead but fell to a 4-point lead soon after. The rallies for the last few points of the set were really long and drew out the set. The Cavs ended the drawn out set, 25-20.
“We played hard and definitely cemented our position in the league,” junior Isabelle Leavy said.
Several times, the girls had to stop fast, hard hits from the Lions, sending the ball straight up for the setter. A few times senior Jenny Kerbs tipped the ball down in between the net and the Lion blockers, who struggled to regain control.
The bleachers were filled to capacity with engaged but relatively quiet, calm fans. Several players from the boys’ soccer team attended.
Many attendees remarked on the new Homecoming poster featuring the team and their coaches on the far side of the wall. Many of the Cavs, like Gupta, responded positively to the banner, saying that they would like one every year.
“I love it!” Gupta said.
“I’m glad we get the recognition,” Leavy said.
Grace, Petersen’s mother, filmed the match for a video of the varsity that will be shown at the Homecoming pep rally on Friday, Oct. 23.
When the Cavs played the Lions in late September, they also won, 3-0.
The Cavs’ game against Wilton Christian on Oct. 16 was cancelled because the Patriots had only five players and were forced to forfeit the rest of their matches in the season. The Cavs had beaten Wilton Christian, 3-0, earlier in the season. Coach Jason Kreps said that he is not disappointed that the Cavs won’t play the Patriots again.
“We wouldn’t have gotten anything out of it,” Kreps said.
The Cavs’ next match will be away against Sacramento Adventist on Thursday, Oct. 22.
“(The match) promises to be a doozy,” Leavy said.
Last season, the Cavs won, 3-2, against the Capitals.
—By Sonja Hansen
