Spartans make early statement

Bainbridge streaks through early play.

The Spartan volleyball team are proving they’re tough to stop.

After winning the Monroe Invitational on Saturday for the second year in a row, Bainbridge defeated visiting Holy Names Monday 25-22, 25-13 and 25-21 to stay undefeated this season.

Several factors caused them to get off to a rough start in the first game, as the music was off, the refs were late, the warmup went bad and even the scoring was off at times.

“I don’t know if it’s a full moon or not,” coach Julie Miller said. “They had just played all day Saturday and were coming off that win, (they) just needed a second to refocus and get down to business.”

Bainbridge scored the first three points in the first game and quickly built the lead to 8-2 after a Hannah Stuart kill.

But Holy Names retook the serve and went on an eight point run to lead 10-8. Bainbridge tied it back up, but Holy Names retook the lead.

The Spartans kept it close, then tied it on a Kelcey Dunaway kill and went ahead by two. The Cougars came back to tie, but Bainbridge retook the lead for good on another Dunaway kill. Sabrina Tan scored the decisive point.

Bainbridge easily took the second game, but Holy Names came out motivated and took advantage of some miscommunication to build a 7-3 lead.

The Spartans would come back to tie it at eight on a Stuart ace, then went ahead for good on a Tan kill and four straight aces by Stuart.

Miller was glad her team overcame their obstacles and felt their play on Saturday helped them to “be” a team.

“The final we played in Monroe was amazing,” she said. “The girls played really, really well and I think that whole day, they came together as a team. They just need to remember they need to pass first and go from there. Once they get their pass down, they’re fine.”

Bainbridge plays tonight at 6 p.m. at Paski Gymnasium, hosting Seattle Prep.

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