BOCA RATON – On Tuesday night (Oct. 4), Benjamin’s girls volleyball team extended their win streak to seven games as they downed Saint John Paul II on the road.
Benjamin (10-4) really showed their resiliency in which could be seen as a “setup game”.
Let me explain.
These are the type of games in which a favorite or ‘hot’ team plays against a lesser opponent but ends up losing because they went into the game thinking they won before the first whistle was blown.
Things were shaky in the first game as St. John Paul II (6-13) came out swinging and was able to take the first game in a dominating fashion.
It was senior night for the Eagles, and they came out juiced and looking for an upset at home.
Benjamin won the next three games, 3-1. But at no point did St. John Paul II seem to throw in the towel, as it fought until the very end.
Benjamin taking the next three games was something to watch.
Leading the charge for the Bucs was junior Grace Havlicek, who took over the show in the third and fourth games. She recorded 21 kills and scored the game point to crash St. John Paul’s senior night celebration.
“I really just wanted to go out there and kill it,”Havlicek stated. “I turned it on for my team. I couldn’t do it without the passers. Riley, she’s such a great setter.”
Havlicek expanded on her team’s effort.
“This was a great win for us on their senior night, especially after last year,” Havlicek said. “Sophia defintley gets myself and the team fired up to play.”
Benjamin freshman Riley McCaughey was back at it again against St. John Paul II. She recorded 50 assists in her contribution to the Bucs victory.
“The game plan tonight was definitely to crush them,” McCaughey said. “Having 50 assists is amazing, but I couldn’t do it without my team, the great passers, and hitters.”
McCaughey would speak on the impact head coach Alex Clarke has had on the team.
“Coach Clarke is so motivational,” McCaughey said. “I talk to her a lot and she helps me, cheers us on. It’s amazing.”
Benjamin has a very deep rotation of star players that can just wear a team out. One would run to the sideline and hold hands for four seconds with a huge smile, then sub in and out.
Maggie Smith, Kori Haggard, and Payton Bryan were also great contributors for the Bucs in this one.
Clarke explained how she is able to have such a great lineup of players that produce.
“I try to get them to believe in themselves first before we do anything as a team,” Clarke said. “Then we spend a lot of time on team bonding. Not only are they great volleyball players, but excellent students as well in the classroom and leaders at the school.”
Clarke continued.
“They are having a lot of fun together by doing a lot of things outside of the gym that’s help them,” Clarke said. “I’m super excited for this team. We’re in a good spot and building for the postseason.”
Benjamin will be on the road next Monday (Oct. 10) at Palmer Trinity (7-6) in Miami. The start time is set for 5 p.m. as the girls look to expand their win streak to eight.
