Bulldogs beat Wolves
Wed, 10/05/2005
sports CORRESPONDENT
Foster High School's Bulldogs put strong bites behind their growls while chewing up the visiting Sequim Wolves, 3-1, in Class 2A Nisqually League volleyball action Wednesday.
With the win, Foster improved its league won-lost record to 3-1 and prompted optimistic observations by its first year head coach Trina Andersen.
"Our girls have been in the weight room and are stronger at controlling the net with their passing and blocking," she said. "Tonight we had 20 blocks from our middle blockers."
Sophomore middle hitter Jasmine Horton had 12 blocks while senior Rossan Castro blocked nine shots as part of the Bulldogs' intimidating front row strength.
Due to some scheduling and logistic problems, the Bulldog varsity had an abreviated warm up time before engaging the Wolves.
Sequim took full advantage of the situation by seizing control early on the way to a first game win. Before Foster could pounce, the Wolves bolted to a 21-13 lead and eventually won, 25-17.
By the opening sequence of the second game, Foster had focused fast and furiously to claim the high ground.
Trading single points and scoring runs evenly throughout, the squads became embroiled in conflict until the Bulldogs held a 15-14 margin.
Following a Foster time out, the Bulldogs scored on a Horton kill followed by a Belcher block. Sequim rturned fire to draw within 17-16. A Horton block preceded Belcher's service ace. Two additional Foster points on Belcher's serve stretched the Bulldog lead to 21-16. Sequim went on a 7-3 scoring binge to close within 24-23, but Castro put away a kill for the Foster victory.
"We just got more pumped up," explained senior setter Trisha Belcher. "We talked about what we needed to do and passed better, which pumped us up more. We were so happy."
Game three translated into more of the same pattern before the Bulldogs pulled out a tight win.
Spearheaded by Horton in the middle, Foster broke to a 12-7 margin before the Wolves ran off five consecutive points to tie the game, 12-12.
Scoring a point on Sequim's serve, the Bulldogs bounded away to six straight points of their own. During this stretch, Belcher served two aces and several strong hits to augment Horton's middle play.
After Foster stretched its lead to 20-13, the Wolves responded by outscoring their opponents, 9-1, to own a 22-21 advantage.
Castro came through with a huge point to ignite three consecutive Bulldogs points, the last being a service ace by Rachel Aleaga.
Although Sequim scored the next point, Foster's Marcquetta Coles ended the excrutiatingly exciting game by tipping the ball into an exposed middle in the Sequim defense.
"It was a matter of adjustment and timing," said Foster junior outside hitter Brittany Menard. "When we get a good pass we take a step, focus on the pass and not drop the arm."
Foster clinched the match victory by magnificently manipulating the end of the game strategy and execution. Locked in a 20-20 tie, the Bulldogs' Menard put the home team into the lead for good with a block on Sequim's serve.
Behind Belcher' strong serving, Foster scored the final four points of the match.
"We have three strong returning starters (junior outside hitter Brittany Menar, senior middle blocker Rossa Castro, senior setter Trisha Belcher) and the captains (Castro and Belcher) make the coaching job easier," said Petersen. "The focus the kids give me is very instructive at practice and in the games. All are extremely coachable and able to adjust instructions to the situations. They have such a good grasp of their own game that they can concentrate on what's coming at us. It's awesome. With our strong sophomore turnout in addition to the support of staff and community we expect postseason play."
Sophomore Alyssa Soloman starts as the libro while junior Brittany Menard plays one position on the outside. Sophomores Jamie Camp and Jasmine Horton join senior Rossana Castro in the middle. Another outside hitter is sophomore Marcquetta Coles. Rachael Aleaga plays opposite position as senior Trisha Belcher sets. Amanda Crowson, Ashley Borek, Kai Grosse and Maya Moravong are additional players as seniors.