Whenever the Centralia High School volleyball team had to play out of system on Monday night, its back line was willing to lay out to keep the ball alive.
Several instances of diving attempted digs were on display. And while Marti Smith appreciates and loves the hustle, she would prefer an easier play to be made on a more consistent basis.
“It is never a lack of effort with these girls,” the Tigers head coach said. “We have to learn to better position ourselves to make the plays easier. That will come with reps.”
Centralia kept it competitive for the opening two sets, taking a stranglehold at one point in set two, but some serve receive missteps and not being aggressive enough at the net allowed R.A. Long to rally in the middle stanza and pull out a 25-18, 27-25, 25-14 sweep on Ron Brown Court.
After playing a five-set contest against their own alumni last week, the Tigers true season opener was a quick one.
“It is still a learning process for us,” Smith said. “We got to keep working on that endurance and playing through every play.”
Despite the roster being heavy on juniors and seniors, this group hasn’t played volleyball together for very long. Coupled with developing a high IQ and understanding of the game, Centralia (0-2) is still figuring out the details.
Still, there were a couple sparks that showcased the talent.
Down 9-3 in the second set, the Tigers scored seven straight points on a rotation that featured Madison Breckel serving with three hitters in the front. They got R.A. Long out of system throughout the set, held firm on the lead and went up 22-17, aiming to square the match.
R.A. Long staved off set point with a kill, then earned a set point on a service ace. Brooklyn Sprague slammed home a kill that tied it at 25-all. The Lumberjills secured the 2-0 match lead with a sideout and ace.
“We did have issues making sure defensively that we were supposed to start where we need to start, then you make the adjustment to the hitter,” Smith said. “We started too far back at times and when we’re trying to go forward, it is too late.”
Even with an early 5-2 lead in the third, Centralia couldn’t make it stick. R.A. Long got to 10, 15 and 20 points first and scored the final five points to complete the sweep.
Mikaela Marazita and Ryleigh Butler each paced the Tigers with four kills while Payton Baumel and Hollynn Wakefield registered three. Brooklyn Sprague and Makenzie Erickson led the back row with eight digs apiece.
Erickson was a perfect 8-for-8 serving while Sprague and Breckel both had double digit serves over the net.
“We kind of got a little soft at times, just trying to play it careful,” Smith said. “You just got to go aggressive.”
Traditionally, Centralia has run 5-1. Due to Mckenna Smith being a southpaw and a right side, Coach Smith wants to keep her setting ability, but use her hitting prowess.
Breckel, back after a year away, allows for the versatility to run a 6-2.
“(Running a) 5-1 is great, you can do a little bit more with your middle,” Smith said. “At the same time, if I've got a good setter-hitter, I want to use her.”
Now in year eight in leading the Tigers, Coach Smith knows Centralia won’t overwhelm opponents with size at the net. What she hopes will be the strength moving forward is the serving.
Which has been the identity of her past teams.
“We crack down on our serving,” Smith stated. “We work hard on ball placement and that was evident tonight.”
