Understaffed Wildcats lose girls volleyball match to Poly

By Paige Mendez, Correspondent

The Paloma Valley girls volleyball team lost its home match against Riverside Poly in three sets Thursday night.

The first set was controlled mainly by the Wildcats, having held the lead for the first 19 points. But when Poly took their first lead at 20-19, it was back and forth until the final point, giving the Coyotes the 25-23 win. That would be the closest of the three final scores.

Paloma held the majority of the lead in the second set as well. Then Poly took over around the 18-point mark and ran with it. They took that second win ending on an 8-0 run, with a final score of 25-18.

The third set was decided much more quickly and ended in an 11-point deficit for the Wildcats. The score margin started early with a 6-0 run after Paloma’s third point. That set’s final score was 25-14.

The Wildcats had just one league loss leading up to the match and the biggest factor in the night’s outcome, according to assistant coach Natalie Beauchamp, was their three starting seniors who had to sit the game out due to injury.

“When you have your three starters who make up a big part of our aggression and attack out of the game, that’s going to make a big difference,” Beauchamp said. “Lara [Martinez] alone puts up close to 20 kills a game, so our team is reeling a little bit because of that.”

Without those three starters, Beauchamp said there were nerves on the floor that normally don’t come out with the more seasoned players—a factor she and head coach Stephen Kaas are planning to address with the team.

“It’s hard to communicate it but we need them to know that a close score doesn’t mean that we’re struggling,” Beauchamp said. “We want them to know they don’t need to slip into panic mode so quickly. Coaching-wise, we just have to go back to simpler volleyball, then build confidence there.”

Senior Baylie Moore led the team with 9 kills on the night. Junior Abigail Johnston led the game with 27 assists, while senior libero Grace Liesemeyer continues to lead the team in overall passing and defensive digs.

Moore and Liesemeyer were two of the regular starters who were able to play in the match and Liesemeyer said this game was interesting because it allowed her a chance to lead in resilience.

“Being out there with Baylie and trying to keep everyone playing as a team was really hard and keep the energy out on the court,” Liesemeyer said. “But I know practice makes perfect so I know if we work on it with these girls who aren’t used to starting it can get really good and I’m excited to see that.”

Liesemeyer added that she and her team did feel a little shaken after the outcome of the game but are still hopeful because of the highlights they did see.

The Wildcats are now 2-2 in league and will head to Hillcrest High for their next match, which is non-league on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.