On Tuesday. Oct. 21, the girls varsity volleyball team secured a senior night win against Concord-Carlisle (CC). Despite strong playing from both teams, Wayland came out on top, winning the game 3-1.
Prior to the game, the JV girls volleyball team decorated the gym with posters and streamers to celebrate the seniors, which are senior captains Anna Yalli (#16, outside), Kalena Imura (#7, setter) and seniors Stephanie Shen (#6, right side), Mia MacLean (#2, Libero), Emi Niimi (#18, Defensive Specialist/right side) and Jubin Kim (#13, Defensive Specialist).
“[Playing on my senior night] was awesome,” senior captain Kalena Imura said. “It was really fun to see everyone decorate and make posters, it felt really good to feel appreciation from the program.”
First set:
Wayland started off slow in the first set, with CC taking the lead 15-5. Shen then came onto the service line, bringing Wayland back into the game with her consistent serves. Along with Shen, Imura contributed some powerful serves. The strong serving and defensive plays amounted to a Wayland comeback, winning the set 25-20.
“We all fought really hard, especially [during] that first set,” Shen said.
Second set:
Following the first set comeback victory, the second set was an intense back and forth match between both teams. In another close set, the score reached a 23-23 tie. However, Wayland ended up losing the set 26-24 due to Concord’s solid hitting.
Third set:
In the third set, CC jumped out to a 14-9 lead, but Wayland came back with blocking and kills, especially by Yalli.
Kim served multiple times, accumulating points for Wayland. With Wayland winning 24-19, a referee called a carry on Wayland. Still, Wayland pulled through to win the third set, with a score of 25-20.
“I think we played really well, and it helps that there was a huge student section,” Kim said. “We just had a lot of support from our teammates, friends, and family.”
Fourth set:
The fourth set started off close in score. However, Wayland pulled ahead to extend their lead to 21-13. Consistent serves from junior Jayden Moore and kills from junior Willa Suratt helped Wayland close out the game, winning the set 25-13.
After Wayland won their senior night, Imura expressed both her and her team’s excitement for the upcoming playoff games.
“I’m excited to play a few [playoff games],” Imura said. “I think that the team’s really happy to be in the playoffs, so whatever happens, I’m excited for it.”
The schedule for playoffs will be released Tuesday Oct. 28.
