The boys volleyball team lost a close match to Canon-Mac on Thursday. As the team tries to close the season by earning a playoff berth, the loss was disappointing.
“We definitely struggled with keeping focus,” senior Logan Pack said. “Canon-Mac is really good. Last year they lost two matches total – the WPIAL championship and the state semifinal.”
Also, the team struggled with mentality.
“It kind of spiraled. They have one player who is really good. And he got going, and the rest sort of got out of control,” Pack said.
Despite the loss, the team is making a convincing playoff push. As they close in on their final two games, the squad seeks to build on what has helped it to be successful so far. To secure a ticket to the postseason, the team needs to win at least one of its two remaining games.
“If we just keep it simple and keep it one point at a time, we should be able to take one if not both of our games.” Pack said. “We’ve been competing really well, and our defense has improved dramatically. We just need to go into these last two games and be consistent.”
In the past week, Coach Milan Yekich has drilled fundamentals.
“We’ve been focusing on serving and serve receiving. We miss a lot of serves and we get aced a lot, so we’re working on more basic stuff and running more combinations on offense,” Pack said.
Still, the team can rely on its playmakers as it makes a playoff push.
“Bibeak Bhujel, Brayden Gremba – they’re doing well,” Pack said. “Austin Kruszewski, who’s a sophomore, has stepped up into a big role.”
The Highlanders next play Bethel Park on Tuesday. The team’s last home game is against Peters Township at home on Thursday.
