Blair varsity girls' volleyball obtains first win of the season against Whitman

Blair varsity girls' volleyball (1-3) secured their first win at home against the Walt Whitman Vikings in a 3-0 game. After a tight win in the first set, the Blazers upped the momentum to win three straight sets. 

The first set of the game started with close scores, with the score on both sides inching forward for 3-3. Following a serve from junior Christy Li, an intense rally ensued. Blair pulled ahead with a score of 7-3, but with missed receives and hits, Whitman took the lead by five points (10-15). Whitman maintained its lead until a spike by Blair's captain, senior Samantha Rodriguez, brought the ball back to Blair. 

With mistakes on Whitman's part, Blair evened the score 17-17. The score broke even time and time again as both teams fought tooth and nail. As set point approached, the Blazers, with a successful block, scored the two pivotal points to win the set 25-23.

Coming off the momentum from the first set, Blair took the lead within the first few minutes of the second set, leading with a score of 11-2. After Whitman's coach called a time-out, Whitman came back and reduced the lead to only four points, 15-11. 

Cooperation between Blair's setter, junior Celine Wu, and Blair's outside hitter, senior Emma Weinstein, allowed Blair to pull forward. With a strong serve from Blair's libero, sophomore Karen Cao, Blair scored five consecutive points and ultimately closed out the set 25-15.

At the beginning of the third set, the Blazers charged forward, leading 5-1. Even though Whitman gradually found their rhythm and only trailed by one point, Blair still kept the lead. When the score reached 19-15 and 22-17, Whitman called two successive time-outs, hoping to win back the set. As the ball flew out of court four times in a row, Blair scored four successive points to match point. 

Anticipation and excitement climbed to a peak at match point, 24-17, as the stands waited for the point that would decide the fate of the game. Whitman scored back a point, bringing the score to 24-18. But, following a hit by Weinstein, Blair won the third set 25-18, earning their first win of the season.

Deanna Earle, coach of the varsity girls' volleyball team, was proud of how the team performed on Tuesday, noting that consistency was key to securing the win. "We were fighting point for point for point; we just happened to have a winning streak at the right times of the set. Today, it was about getting the consistency more frequently and I'm really proud of how we played today," Earle said. 

Earle has confidence in the team going forward. "I expect fire," Earle said.

The Blazers will play their next home game on Monday, Sept. 27 against the Blake Bengals at 6:30 p.m.

Editor's Note: Celine Wu and Emma Weinstein are members of Silver Chips Online.