The Wiregrass volleyball team defeated the Wesley Chapel Wildcats 3-0 Monday night, bringing their record to 5-2. This was the 12th year in a row that the Bulls have beaten Chapel in volleyball.

Coming off a tough 3-1 loss to Steinbrenner, the Bulls regained their confidence with this win. The set scores were 25-12, 25-16, and 25-17.

The first set started with the Wildcats scoring, and maintaining a small lead early in the game due to errors made by the Bulls. Senior Alexis Pryor tied up the game 6-6 after a well placed ace. The Bulls built up their lead to 13-9 when senior Jaizah Anderson rained down on the Wildcats with back-to-back kills, extending the lead 15-9.

The Bulls continued their rally of unanswered points with a sprawling save by Pryor, bringing their lead to 19-9. Anderson scored a final spike to close the first set with a Wiregrass win. Anderson played a crucial role at the net during the first set.

“Kills keep the energy going, they keep the team pumped, and help to build confidence at the net during the course of a game,” Anderson explained.

Another two kills by Anderson kicked off the second set, giving Wiregrass a 2-0 lead. The two teams battled to 5-5. After a couple of errors by Wiregrass, Chapel took an 8-5 lead. Wiregrass took the lead after an ace by Pryor, bringing the score to 9-8.

Strong defense from the back row by players like junior Crystal Faddoul who made an important save at 16-13, kept Wiregrass in the lead the remainder of the game. 

“Without the defensive aspect [of the game] there is no way to set up the play,” Pryor said. “I feel like all of our defensive players are strong and they execute the passes that are needed.” 

The third and final set started similarly to the last, with Bulls taking an early lead, 2-0. The Wildcats were quick to respond, scoring 4 unanswered points to give them the lead 10-6. Wiregrass was able to come back after strong net work by sophomore Zoi Evans with a block and two kills, bringing the score to 20-15. The Bulls closed out the 3rd set and won the game with a serve by freshman Kayla Baer.

Coming fresh off this win, the Bulls are now preparing to face the Wharton Wildcats, who beat the Bulls last year in a 5-set thriller.

“We are going to adjust our lineup and defensive setup to accurately defend against Wharton,” Coach Robin Holowiak said.

The Wiregrass Bulls will play Wharton Wildcats on Wednesday, September 12th at 7:30 at home, hoping to bring their record to 6-2.