Girls' Volleyball Opens Season with Strong Finish Vs. Milton

Girls’ volleyball opened up the 2013 season with a victory against Milton Academy on Wednesday, winning three sets to one. After coming out on top in the first two games and losing the third, the team came back strong in the fourth to secure the win for Big Red.This year’s team, comprised of a few new students, a couple moving up from the junior varsity team and many returners, has a solid foundation for a great season led by Coach Bruce Shang.“For only having one week of practice we were very cohesive,” upper Jennifer Hawley said.The team’s first game kicked off with a positive start, dominating from the get-go and easily flying by Milton in the first two sets. However, the girls lost their footing in the third, defeated due to a lack of dynamism. “The first set was really great, we kept our energy up and beat Milton 25 to 17 - we were playing strong,” senior captain Weilin Chan said. “During the second set we slipped a bit on energy but we picked it back up for the win but in the third set, energy was the big problem and we ended up losing that set by a couple points.”After a break and a refocusing talk, the team was able to pick up their feet and finish the match to earn the big W in the team’s first match.“We regrouped and picked it up at the end, and we pulled through with the win in the fourth set,” Chan continued.“As we went from game one to three our energy went down, but losing the third game acted as a wake up call, and we picked ourselves up,” upper Caroline Lu added, also noting certain areas of improvement. “We need to stay focused and eliminate unforced errors.”Despite the hiccup in the game, the girls’ team pulled through to set the season on the right track and leaving everybody happy with their accomplishments. “I think overall we play great as a team, communicating well on the court and off,” senior Maddie Firkey said. “New upper Brooke Detwiler played a great game with incredible sets leading to several kills by Weilen Chan and Michelle Bosche. Libero Jess Hebl and Josie Russ also contributed greatly with numerous passes and digs.”Lower Michelle Bosche shares the same views with most of her teammates. “This was a great start to the season,” Bosche commented. She also highlights new upper Brooke Detwiler’s first game as setter at Exeter. “She played the whole match and perfectly set every tough pass, even towards the end. She is an amazing addition to our team. I believe we are going to do very well this season and I am so excited to be a part of it.”This Saturday, the girls’ volleyball team will take on its annual doubleheader against Taft and Hotchkiss in the hopes of increasing their winning streak by two.