P.K. Yonge Volleyball Bounces Back with Defeat of Countryside
After a 2-0 loss to Newberry on Saturday, P.K. Yonge volleyball bounced back Tuesday to defeat Countryside Christian, 3-1 (25-22, 25-21, 16-25, 25-17).
The Blue Wave (6-2) entered the home match focused on playing to their own strengths rather than adjusting to its opponent.
“Our goal tonight was to not play to our competition, give maximum effort and play to our ability,” Blue Wave coach Chancie Vice said.
With the first two sets ending close, 25-22 and 25-21, Countryside Christian (4-2) made a comeback in the third by winning the set 25-16.
Tensions were high on the court as the fourth set began. Fans and junior varsity players in the bleachers cheered, “Get the ball back.”
With Countryside going on a run, Vice turned to her team and asked the players to take charge.
“Volleyball is a game of runs, and when the other team went on a big run, I wanted to see a leader step up and respond,” Vice said.
That response came from several P.K. Yonge players, who began taking more initiative on the court. Hitters began asking setters for opportunities, and players took ownership of the game.
That confidence led the Blue Wave to a 25-17 win in the deciding set.
Countryside coach Isabella Colon said she saw positives in her team’s performance, particularly its ability to fight back after falling behind the first two sets. She wants the team to carry that resilience into its upcoming matches.
“I want them to take that, that they were able to win one and to just keep going because they can come back from the 2-0 in the beginning,” Colon said.
Colon said the team’s mental approach will be an important focus.
“We gotta work on our mental,” Colon said. “Our mental is a big game, and if they can’t handle that, then it doesn’t really matter what they actually perform on the court.”
For P.K. Yonge, the win provides momentum heading into Thursday’s Class 2A-District 3 matchup.
“I would like for the confidence to continue to improve,” Vice said.
The Blue Wave will host Mount Dora Christian Academy (4-2) at 6 p.m, Thursday.
Category: High School Sports, PK Yonge High School, Volleyball
