Volleyball Team Short on Players, Not on Wins
Gators win two consecutive matches despite having just six players.
The Virginia Peninsula Community College women's volleyball team has been playing short-handed much of the season, but that hasn't been evident in the results.
Despite having just six players their past two matches, the Gators came away victorious both times, defeating Central Carolina Community College in four sets Oct. 14, and Mid-Atlantic Christian University in three sets nearly a month before that, Sept. 18. With two matches remaining in the season and a record of 5-3, the Gators are guaranteed finishing no worse than .500 for the year.
"We're just trying to finish the season strong," said first-year coach Manny Miguel. "Every team gets better toward the end of the season, so we are definitely looking forward to our last two matches."
Against Central Carolina, the Gators got off to a slow start losing the first set after a four-hour trip to Sanford, N.C. However, they won the next three.
"They played really well the second, third and fourth sets," Miguel said.
The players making the trip – Anthonia Oladejo, Leilani Brager, Ashleigh Yost, Ivy James, Mikela Waugh and Olivia Beasley – all played well. James contributed strong serving and ran the offense effectively, while Brager led the offensive attack. But strong defense, from everybody, was key, the coach added.
For the trip to MACU (Elizabeth City, N.C.), Miguel had just six players, but the Gators won. The team took advantage of the long break between the matches to work on their volleyball IQ, fundamentals and communication.
"It was great to see everything has been clicking and they utilized what they've learned and applied it," the coach said of the most recent victory.
The Gators finish the season Friday, Oct. 17 at Cheney University in Pennsylvania and Saturday, Oct. 25 at Southwest Virginia.
For more information on the College, visit www.vpcc.edu.