The varsity volleyball team fell 1-3 against Mountain Brook during the in-school match at Homewood. No set was determined by more than three points.
The Patriots went down 0-2, losing the first two sets 25-22 and 26-24. Homewood rallied, however, winning set three before narrowly losing the decisive fourth set 26-24.
The first two sets were played in front of a packed gym, bursting with noise and support for the Patriots. Head coach Grace Burgess appreciates opportunities to play in atmospheres to prepare her team for the intensity of playoffs.
“I think we are figuring out how to play in environments like that,” she said. “We did one last week, we did one this week, and I’m grateful that we have the opportunity to do that before we go to the Finley Center [for playoffs], but I think they were just figuring out how to level out and how to do some things better.”
Burgess said she was happy her team got the experience of having so many students see them perform in such an intense, skilled matchup.
“Having people in the stands cheering for you one way or the other, it always just brings so much more energy to the space, so I’m glad that they got that experience,” she said. “I think it’s really good for us to see that there’s more than just ourselves that believe in us, like the whole schools behind us, they all believe in us.”
Varsity returner and senior passer Lily Stephens brought a ton of energy and showed leadership keeping her team focused throughout a difficult match. While the result did not go their way, she said the team’s aim was to simply play together.
“The focus was just playing as a family,” she said. “I think we all realized that was the only way we were going to win. We can’t just play by ourselves, because they won’t get us anywhere.”
Burgess said she believes her team did play that way and therefore has no regrets about the result. Stephens also remained positive, looking forward to the next game as an opportunity to continue to improve.
“I think that’s what’s important,” Stephens said. “I like finding the good in every game and knowing what we need to fix.”
The volleyball team next plays Sept. 25 at Auburn.
