Milton Girls Volleyball Loses Match to Braintree

Last night the Braintree girls volleyball team traveled to Milton High looking to improve their record on the young season to 2-1, and they did just that with a 3-1 (25-23, 16-25, 27-25, 25-22) win.

“I think we actually dominated this match, quite honestly,” Milton coach Robin Lee said. “I don’t think Braintree beat us as much as we beat ourselves. I think we didn’t monopolize on the momentum enough… I think we definitely owned the momentum of the game and unfortunately we just couldn’t close things.”

The first game saw Milton take an early lead that stretched to as many as 5, but the Wamps finally took their first lead at 11-10 and the score remained nearly deadlocked for the remainder of the game. Neither team could get much of a run going, which allowed Braintree to take the first game.

The second game was a completely different story than the first in that it was never close; the Wildcats dominated throughout the game.

“I feel that we come out struggling with nerves and excitement,” Braintree coach Kristen Orzechowski said. “We’re very nervous and don’t want to make that mistake. We were awful [in the second game]. They started finding holes in our defense. They did a great job of finding our open spots and defensively we weren’t committed to taking those spots away.”

Game three was the turning point in the match. Milton took an early 12-3 lead, forcing the Braintree to call a timeout. Orzechowski made an adjustment in the Wamps’ defense and placed sophomore Jen Whyte, who’s playing volleyball for the first time this year, into the lineup. Whyte used her float serve to help Braintree cut the lead, but the Wamps didn’t overtake the Wildcats until tying them at 24.

“I think after we were down, when we first started coming back we started to have more fun,” Braintree senior libero Abby Lucas said. “All the pressure was off our shoulders, so we were just having fun and started playing together and not just as six individuals on the court but as a team.”

The extra time win in the third game seemed to give the Wamps momentum heading into the fourth game. Game four was close, but Braintree held the lead the whole time.

“When it gets really close your momentum gets going and you get so excited and if you win that game you just want to keep going and going,” Braintree senior outside hitter Mary Donahue said.

Several players for both teams played extremely well.

On Braintree’s side, Donahue had 21 kills, Lucas had 16 digs, junior setter Rachel Norton had 33 assists and Nora Donahue and Jadah Yesufu each had 7 blocks.

For Milton, the three senior captains were outstanding. Middle hitter Samantha Curley had 16 kills, libero Katie Krauss had 20 digs and setter Ellie Taber had 40 assists.

“A lot of teams that we’ve played so far have a couple of solid players,” Lee said. “I have a solid team of six out there. Everybody is going to make mistakes. We’re not striving for perfection. We’re striving to be as perfect as we can. Then we’ll get excellence. If you strive for perfection you’ll get excellence. That’s our motto.”