Girls’ varsity volleyball hit with challenges in 2021 season

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by Madison Peller

   Coming off their strong 2020 season, the West Broward Varsity Volleyball Girls’ team struggled to find last year’s success and overcome a rocky start in the 2021 season. 

   Concluding a 6-1 season in 2020, the Lady Bobcats had a difficult time repeating that level of  success. With the loss of seasoned graduated players, Hope Passerello, Kyla Paneque, Amber Yoder and Shelley Eaton, the Lady Bobcats tried to recreate the success the team chemistry had in 2020. Despite their rough start in this year’s campaign, the young but talented team led by Isabella Marquez and Katelyn Varon sought to fight their way towards districts. 

   “We still have plenty of talent, we are not going anywhere,” said English teacher and team coach Allison Edens. “The goals are the same every season, the girls want to go to states.” 

   Last year, the team had a strong season, and even with the restrictive effects of COVID , they were able to achieve success. Reaching the county tournament as the number one seed, the team showed great promise. 

   “We could have possibly won the whole thing,” Edens said. “Which would have been the equivalent of winning states.” 

   By choosing to remain local and play in the Big Eight, the school district’s local conference, the team was able to reach a longstanding goal and surpass past achievements. 

   “Usually we are second or third at the Big Eight,” said senior outside hitter and team captain Isabella Marquez, “but it was finally really nice to see that we reached our goal of being first in the seed and then that tournament.” 

   The Lady Bobcats would start the 2021 season with two consecutive wins. In the first match against Nova, they took the match in four sets, 25-18, 25-20, 21-25, 25-15. Leading the Nova game, Isa Marquez had 18 hits and Mia Martinez followed with 5 hits. After their first win, in a victorious, hard-fought battle, the Lady Bobcats defeated  Pompano Beach in 5 sets, 25-10, 19-25, 16-25, 25-11, 15-1 with Marquez with 13 hits and Neveah Johnson and Junior Ramirez following her with 4 hits.  

   “Energy and I think, just our chemistry was really good,” said junior outside hitter Amaris Barrios. “We took it way too seriously in the beginning”. 

    However, following their 2-0 start, the Lady Bobcats would lose their next 8 games. They finished their games against South Plantation, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Cardinal Gibbons in three sets, then lost five more consecutive matches to Western, Spanish River, Divine Sailor Academy, Nova University in two sets, and Pompano Beach in 3 sets 2-1 .  

   “We just got self-confident and thought we were playing as individuals and not as a team,” Barrios said. “The energy really dropped.” 

   The Bobcats would find their winning ways within their last 5 games of the season. When they faced the Monarch Knights on Sept. 20, they won in 3 sets, 25-21, 25-9, 25-12. For the third match against the Everglades Gators, on Sept. 27, it consisted of 4 sets, 19-25, 25-9, 25-21, 25-6. The final score was 3-1 with another win for the Bobcats. The final match before districts would be against Flanagan where they would get their 5th victory of the season in 3 sets, 25-11, 25-19, 25-7. The Lady Bobcats 2021 season would come to an end in their game against Cypress Bay in the district tournaments and would lose in 3 sets.  

   “The last five games were a struggle; we really struggled with mental games this year, and that’s a battle the girls had to fight on their own. Each game brought on its own set of challenges, and the cypress game was no different,” Edens said. 

   This year’s team lost several key players, but with the arrival of new players like Mia Martinez, Sophia Barnet and Nichole Ponce they are working tirelessly to hone their skills and improve their team. 

   “And just like we lose seniors, so does everybody else. So hopefully we can, you know, make it or break it and break that glass ceiling,” Edens said.

   With all the tools they need at their disposal and an indomitable determination, the Lady Bobcats are ready to take on any challenge. Although they are carrying the weight of eight losses, they have taken the first steps to turning that around and upholding the standard West Broward is known for. 

   “I think that we can keep the legacy going,” Edens said. “We have been keeping it going since the schools have been open, so 13 years.” 

READY TO GO: The Lady Bobcats get ready to serve their 2nd set against the South Plantation Paladins after dropping the first set 24 to 26. After the close three-set game, the Lady Bobcats ended with a 0-3 loss. Photo by Madison Peller 

DRIVING IT HOME: Junior outside hitter, Jariana Ramirez,  sets up for a hit with her team behind her in the first set against the South Plantation Paladins. West Broward would eventually lose 3 to 0. Photo by Madison Peller 

BLOCKING THE BALL: Junior middle blocker, Nevaeh Johnson, jumps to block the ball headed her way. The Lady Bobcats walked away from their game against the South Plantation Paladins with a 3 to 0 loss. Photo by Madison Peller 

SETTING THE BALL: Sophomore defense specialist, Sophia Barnet, prepares to set the ball in order for her teammates to make another point and get ahead of South Plantation. Barnet, along with her teammates, have been preparing for this game with their hard work at their practices. Photo by Madison Peller 

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