By Brian Besch
pcenewsroom@gmail.com
The match was theirs. Goodrich lost the first set, but had won two straight and was closing in on a third with a 24-18 lead.
However, the Anderson-Shiro junior varsity had other ideas. They scored six straight to tie it, and would eventually win 29-27, sending the match to a deciding fifth set. There, they were able to take a 25-17, 19-25, 18-25, 29-27 and 15-10 victory.
“This is the first time that we have played and looked like a team,” Goodrich coach Pinellafie Johnson said despite the setback. “That’s what I just had to compliment them on. Our only weakness in all the sets we played was the serve. We missed entirely too many serves, because they did the job of getting the passes, serve reception was good, setting was good, the hitting, the blocking and defense was good. It was just that serve, we missed too many of them.”
Indeed, the Lady Hornets missed plenty of serves in what was a tight and winnable match Tuesday.
“I’ve got those that can serve over and under, and when they went back to the line, I told them it is all about the point. We are just learning how to hit it, but you know how to hit it under. They chose to still go over, and ended up missing. When I say it is all about the point, they know what to do. Serve that ball and find a hole. I was pleased with the effort. They did an outstanding job tonight.”
The coach said serve reception had been a weak point in a few of the recent games. She cited a set in Kennard where the opponent served 17 straight.
“We are spending all of practice on serve reception and serving.”
Johnson said her arm is sore from all the serves she has delivered in practice.
Goodrich is now 6-21, but still has not played many Class 1A schools, often punching above their weight. Johnson’s focus is not on the record, as much as it is her team’s effort. The district games that are most important are just a week away.
“We have played more already than probably the entire year last year. We didn’t play this many games last year. By the time we get finished, we will play close to 40 matches. We had a good talk today about them staying focused and not doing the exact same thing over and over. What is the point of playing 26 games if you’re doing the same thing? You have to improve and get yourself a goal and find out what you need to work on.”
The girls will work toward that goal in the final two non-district games, both at home. They challenge Spurger Friday and Onalaska Tuesday.
