By Kyle LoJacono
The Steinbrenner volleyball team gave Plant a serious scare on Sept. 1, but the five-time defending state champion survived against the host Warriors 25-17, 18-25, 12-25, 25-21, 15-12.
“It was right there in our hands,” said Steinbrenner coach Jennifer Graham. “We had a game plan all along and I think we played well. I had nothing really to say at the end to them except if you’re not upset then you’re not an athlete because that was a hard fought match between two good teams.”
Steinbrenner (1-1) had played Plant (2-0) three times in the last two years, all straight-set victories for the Panthers. However, a pre-season scrimmage between the two squads showed the Warriors they could play with the Panthers.
“We beat them in a scrimmage this summer, and I think that’s what took the fear away for us coming in,” Graham said. “The last two years we’ve come in scared. We weren’t scared. We came in with confidence and we showed them that we meant business.”
The start of the first set was fairly even between the two squads, with Plant having a slim 10-9 lead. Then the Panthers scored nine of the next 10 points to stretch the advantage out for good.
Steinbrenner appeared to be a different team from the start of the second set through the third. The Warriors took early leads they never gave up in those sets, but Graham said they didn’t change much after the first.
“Things just started to click,” Graham said. “I think they might have needed a little warm-up to feel out their blockers and the speed.”
The Warriors were bothered by illegal rotational calls in the contest. They were called for six in the match, including two in the final set.
Two Warriors set single-match records for the third-year program in the contest.
Senior outside and right side hitter Miranda Powell’s 20 kills are the most for any Warrior in a match, as were sophomore setter Casey McLean’s 48 assists.
Senior libero Cary Anne Bame posted 20 digs in the match, while junior outside and middle hitter Madison Seuzeneau had 18 kills.
The Warriors play at Sickles on Wednesday, Sept. 7 after the junior varsity (JV) match. They will play their first Class 7A-District 9 contest on Thursday, Sept. 8 at home against Wiregrass Ranch after JV plays.
–All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.
