Bouncing volleyballs echoed throughout the Buena gym as the girls volleyball team prepared to take on the Santa Barbara dons in a quest for retribution after their last game against them this season ended in a hard loss. Moments before the game, Buena’s five seniors were honored, aiming to energize the team for a league win. Unfortunately, the bulldogs fell short at a loss of 1-3, dons.
Spirits ran high as Buena took their turns spiking and setting the ball while the student section filed in and practiced their cheers.
“This was our last game,” sophomore number eight Rilee Gosselin said, “we wanted to put in one-hundred and ten percent and do it for our seniors.”
As the whistle blew for the match to start, the starting lineup readied themselves for the first serve. The dons came out strong, winning the first point of the match. Buena’s number nine senior Ashley Sulkowski landed a kill for Buena and number seven senior Mimi Moon floated another point over the defender’s hands.
Although Buena was able to receive every serve the dons threw at them, the ball seemed to slip out of their hands whilst passing it to the next player. Santa Barbara sailed ahead 10-12 and Buena called their first timeout in hope to make a comeback. At 17-23 Santa Barbara, the bulldogs fought through a long rally and Senior number two Kayla Templin laid down another kill, only to be stopped moments later by dons, ending the set at a loss of 18-25.
The second set began after encouraging words from head coach Jeremy Swenson, and a strong block from the Bulldogs earned the first point. Number five and junior Parker Stiles served an ace, number eight Rilee Gosselin got a point and suddenly Buena was up by four in the first two minutes of the set. Santa Barbara, feeling nervous, took a timeout and Buena’s student section stomped their feet in unison.
Unfortunately, that timeout was just what the dons needed, making an eight point comeback as the Bulldogs lost their rhythm, ending the set 14-25, Santa Barbara.
With morale running low, the bulldogs prepare for what could be the last set of the night. However, the Buena bench urged their teammates to smile for their seniors and the student section followed, yelling words of encouragement to the players.
Right out of the break, Sulkowski made a powerful block followed by a kill by Moon. The dons and bulldogs trail each point, one after the other, but Buena took advantage of Santa Barbara’s misaimed attempts and earned three free points for out-of-bound spikes. Sulkowski advanced the Bulldog lead with a kill, 13-6, and Santa Barbara took a time out. As the teams continued to chase each other for points, the set was near ending 23-23. The bulldogs needed two points to continue the match and they used a timeout to strategize.
Sulkowski soared above the net and found the back of the court, 24-23. “One more!” Echoed throughout the gym. Moon went for the tip, but was fatally blocked. However, the refs ruled the dons had touched the net during the receive, winning the set point for Buena 25-23.
In the final set, Buena had the dons scrambling for the ball, with two points from Sulkowski. The Bulldogs found their rhythm they lost during the first two sets and tied up the dons, 3-3. Number thirteen sophomore Kenna Wilson added four points to the board for Buena, but the Bulldogs faltered, losing their edge and trailing 9-14.
The bulldogs called a timeout in hopes to regain their unity, however the ball continues to pinball between their arms. A couple more Bulldog serves find the back of the court, but they are no match for the dons. In a final effort during the match point, a pass goes too high and ends set number four 16-25, Santa Barbara.
After the game, the bulldogs recapped their efforts against the dons.
“We were up and down. If we had been a little more consistent I think we would have done better.” Sulkowski said.
The seniors reminisced about their experiences on Buena volleyball, saying they would miss the people, most of all.
“Everything that we’ve been through, We’ve been through together. That brings us even closer.” Moon said.
“Our seniors have brought experience, leadership, and physicality; They bring the heart to the team,” Coach Swenson, the girls coach for four seasons, said.
In this bittersweet game, it was sad to send the seniors off, but Swenson knew they would go on to do great things.
Although the outcome did not favor Buena, the girls remained positive and proud throughout the match, working through whatever was spiked at them.
“They played great, they played a great team, they did the best they could do; Sometimes games don’t go our way but I’m proud of them.” Swenson said.
