JV and varsity Knights crown CCA at home

The bumpers, setters, and spikers of Mount Carmel School continued their march toward the postseason on Tuesday night as the junior varsity and varsity Knights emerged victorious after challenging Calvary Christian Academy at home.

The Junior Knights faced a highly competitive CCA team that refused to quit despite being blown away 25-9 in the first set. CCA even tied the set count at one apiece in the second match by exercising their motto “Not to let the ball touch the ground” with a quick and controlled attack on offense and defense that resulted in a 25-17 win.

“Our players put up a good fight against Mount Carmel. We lost our first game, but the second game was much better with good teamwork. [Our team] always does better when they consider other players instead of trying to save the game by themselves. Good servers like Luther Taylor and Yong Hwa Choi helped our team gain more points also,” said CCA coach Miyuki Tate.

Despite stumbling in the second set, the Knights prevailed with a royal performance in the tiebreaking third set 15-10, but Tate said that she feels her team can only build upon their successes and gain valuable experience from the situation.

“We lost the third game, partly because of the pressure, but I know it was good for them to experience that so that they can face the pressure better next time. We have definitely been improving. Every game shows their progress. The more experience, the better. They learn from each game what they can do better in the future, and I am very pleased with their growth,” she said.

With only five games remaining before the postseason tournament, Tate said that she would like her players to stay equally focused on winning developing their athletic skills, responsibility, and teamwork—something she feels that they can take with them after the season is over.

On the varsity side of the net, the Knights handed CCA another defeat in a two-set sweep, 25-12 and 25-18, to continue their near-perfect push toward the championship.

Head coach Vanesa Pritchard said that her squad did not live up to its potential and that mistakes and will return tonight with renewed focus.

“We did not play as well as we wanted too. We had a down game compared to the games last week. The other team came ready to play, and they did. But hopefully we will take this game in stride and learn from our personal mistakes so we can continue to improve. We will be ready to play SIS on Thursday with a heart to win,” she said.

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