After eliminating some pressure by winning their first conference match, the Spartans are primed to sweep Lakeside on Senior Day Friday.

The Spartans (1-7 in the Metro, and 4-8 overall) defeated Lakeside 27-25, 25-21, 25-19 Wednesday, and host the Lions (2-7,4-7) at 6 p.m. tonight.

“Anytime you play in Metro there’s that pressure because the teams are so good,” head coach Julie Miller said. “Every match is competitive, so it’s kind of impossible not to have a little bit of pressure on the girls every single time.”

The Spartans, who failed to win a Metro match last season, have already improved on their previous record of 2-13.

“We know that we might stand a chance because of their record and our record as well,” outside hitter Brigette Blacker said of Friday’s match.

Currently last in Metro standings, the Spartans have come close to stealing conference games several times this season.

Metro powerhouses Bishop Blanchet, Eastside Catholic and Seattle are all ranked in the top 10.

“We have a really tough league,” outside hitter Joanna Shea said. “Honestly I don’t think any of us would change that because we play with some of the best players in Washington.”

The Spartans, who only suit up three seniors, have looked to their returners, Blacker, Shea, Camille Moore and Amy Fowler, to lead the way this season.

“Everybody on the team has an upperclassman that they can go to and talk to,” Shea said. “Emotionally, it really works out well.”

Despite battling numerous injuries and illnesses, including the H1N1 virus, the upperclassmen have worked to create consistency on the young team.

“I’ve been on teams in the past where there’s not so much team chemistry, so it just kind of didn’t work well,” Moore said. “But this team, we all know each other so well and we really are able to bond really well. We all have a common interest.”

The weeklong loss of Fowler to the H1N1 virus provided an opportunity for the younger players to step up.

“Starting with such a young squad and having all this stuff thrown at us, it’s kind of of hard to catch up and get a solid lineup,” Miller said. “Somebody comes back; somebody goes down.”

With a full roster for tonight’s match, the Spartans will focus on leaving it all on the court.

“The most important thing for us to do is to not be stressed about making a mistake and kind of relax,” Blacker said. “When you’re having fun you play so much better.”

With several tight losses behind them, the Spartans have matured as a team, and shouldn’t be afraid to make split-second decisions, Miller said.

“A lot of close matches have come down to the capping points – where you go over 25 (points) – which is where the game ends,” Shea said. “I think we’re able to push through in the mental toughness. We have to go for those last couple points, and not be content with losing.”

In many cases, a point here or there could have changed the momentum of a match.

“I think it’s just a one to two percent,” Fowler said of the extra effort the Spartans will need tonight. “The ball that drops just to the right of you – if you just get that one up, that would make a huge difference the whole game.”

Despite their tough conference schedule, the Spartans always had the support of their peers.

“This year it’s been incredible because usually people never come to the volleyball games,” Blacker said. “We’ve been doing a lot of inter-team bonding. It’s really cool that all the teams are rooting for each other.”

Bainbridge held a fall sports assembly Thursday, and the Spartans hope the fan excitement will help them bring home one last victory.

“It would be a great way to end the season and a great starter for the next season,” Shea said. “Honestly, I think we deserve it so much. We have really talented players and we’ve had a tough season and it would show how hard we’ve worked.”