All season long, the BC volleyball team has been making big-time plays and scoring big wins. Now, all of that hard work has paid off in the form of at least a tie for the Western State Conference Southern Division title, the team’s first since 1997.
“We have a talented group and I knew we would go far,” said Julie Ryan, who is in her first year as coach for the ‘Gades. Dan Dulcich, who handles all of the statistics and records, assists Ryan on the bench.
Tied with L.A. Pierce for the conference title, the ‘Gades (18-3 overall, 10-2 WSC) used a combination of devastating kills, timely digs and suffocating defense in the title-clinching game against Citrus College on Tuesday at the Gil Bishop Sports Center.
The ‘Gades won the first two games of the match 30-24 and 30-25.
The third game was close the entire way. BC started out a little sluggish after Citrus (10-7 overall, 7-5 WSC) grabbed an 11-7 lead. Both teams went back and forth for the rest of the game, but it was Citrus who pulled out a hard fought win, 35-33.
“We decided to fight,” said BC setter Heather Tape, after losing the third game. “I think we thought we had already won it.”
Tape, a talented freshman, led the team with 45 assists.
The ‘Gades wasted little time in the fourth game, racing out to a 9-0 lead. Citrus closed the gap at 17-13, but the night belonged to BC as the team closed out Citrus 30-19.
“Once we got started, we knew we were going to take it,” Ryan said of the fourth game. “We did not want to go to a fifth game.”
Freshman outside hitter Rya Baker, who played almost the entire game, led the team with 13 kills. She also had 19 digs and four service aces. Baker was spelled midway through the fourth game by Cora Crisler.
“We have a lot of talent on this team and we know it,” Baker said. “So we are playing with a lot of heart and desire and we want to make it to playoffs and do the best we can.”
Outside hitter Kim Harper also played an excellent game. She recorded 12 kills and 25 digs.
The ‘Gades have had a focus that goes beyond wins. One hundred percent effort plays are rewarded with what Ryan calls ” ‘Gades points.”
“We try to focus more on that throughout the game rather than a win or a loss,” she said. “That’s more important when we walk out of this gym. It’s about working hard, your work ethic and overall effort, which will be a learning experience in life, and not just on the court.”
Playoff seedings will be determined Saturday. With the ‘Gades clinching a share of the conference title, they may host a first round home game on Nov. 20.