Wakefield volleyball
Wakefield sophomore Bryn Pfeiffer (center) and the Lady Wolverines' volleyball team have plenty to celebrate, improving to 9-0 this season following their win over Millbrook Sept. 10.
Parallels exist between Wakefield's past and present
Lady Wolverines top Millbrook in volleyball Thursday
Following Thursday's straight-set victory over Millbrook, Wakefield volleyball coach Cynthia Terrell made a bold comparison without saying a word.
While discussing the Lady Wolverines' 9-0 start — 3-0 in Cap-7 Conference play — the coach explained this year's squad reminded her of Wakefield's 2005 club.
Asked how so, Terrell simply pointed to the conference championship banner hanging on the south wall of Wakefield's gymnasium.
She then let the moment linger to prove the point before continuing.
"We were 11-1 that year, and I think this team has a lot of parallels with that group," she said.
The Lady Wolverines have opened its 2009 schedule on fire, winning seven of its nine games in straight sets. And for the most part, Wakefield has looked good racking up wins. But Terrell wants her squad to maintain a consistent concentration during matches — especially late.
Terrell used Thursday's 26-16, 25-19, 25-23 win over Millbrook as an example. In the second and third sets, the Lady Wolverines allowed the Wildcats to stake leads, only to fight back late and pull out a win.
"It's great for us to win, but sometimes it's how we win that can be frustrating," the coach said. "We're fortunate sometimes that we can pull ourselves out of a hole when we need to. And we were tested tonight. They made us work for what we got."
Wakefield's most impressive comeback was in the second set as Bryn Pfeiffer served nine straight points, erasing the Lady Wolverines' 17-13 deficit.
The sophomore — who recorded seven aces in the match — said she definitely felt on a roll.
"Once you get going, everybody gets really excited," she said. "And you can see that the other team gets a little more timid."
In addition to Pfeiffer's strong night, fellow sophomores Kylie Sicking and Cally Pfeiffer — Bryn's sister — recorded 17 and 13 assists, respectively. "We have two of the best setters, and they make the team really strong on offense," Bryn said. Sicking also had five digs.
Senior Katie Slay — a Penn State recruit — garnered 12 kills, and Elizabeth Campbell added nine.
(On a side note: Penn State University coach Russ Rose, who's led the Lady Lions' volleyball program to three national titles, was in attendance.)
Terrell lauded the Millbrook squad, explaining the team looked much improved. And that's the Wildcats' No. 1 objective, said head coach Chris Grimes.
"For us, it is all about improvement, and we played a lot better tonight than we did Tuesday against Broughton," he said, alluding to the Wildcats' one-sided loss (25-12, 25-13, 25-12) to the Caps.
With a roster conspired heavily of first-year varsity players, the 5-5 Wildcats are making strides. And Grimes is working on developing the squad's mental approach.
"I think sometimes you have to learn how to win," he said. "There is a difference between winning, competing and just playing. And I feel like at times high school teams can get caught up with just playing. Tonight, every rally we competed."
Millbrook's Abby Ward (6) and Amanda Damiano have helped the Lady Wildcats record a 5-5 record this season. Millbrook's next contest is Sept. 15, hosting Sanderson.
The Wildcats, especially Lauren Brand and Caitlin Shaw, showed improved passing against the Lady Wolverines. And Millbrook did a better job with its service-receive play.
Junior Georgia Ditmore continues to grow into her libero role as well. Catherine Cox also put together a solid game against Wakefield. "She did a little bit of everything for us," Grimes said.
For now, the Wildcats need to concentrate on turning competitive games into wins, the coach pointed out. "A rally here, and a rally there, and things might be a little different," he said.
On the opposite spectrum, the Lady Wolverines have displayed all the characteristics of a championship-caliber team.
"This team is highly motivated. They have fun. They don't stress about a lot of stuff, and they truly care about one another," Terrell said. "When you have those aspects ... it makes a big difference."
Plus, the Lady Wolverines keep their mental errors to a minimum.
Addressing her squad's potential, Pfeiffer didn't allowed herself to think too far into the future.
"I just want to take it one step at a time," she said. "We want to do the best we can, and see how far we can go."
If the Lady Wolverines continue how they're playing, they might just find themselves a spot on the gymnasium wall.
Millbrook returns to action Tuesday, Sept. 15., hosting Sanderson. Wakefield visits Durham Riverside Monday, Sept. 14, and Leesville Road Tuesday, Sept. 15.
