The Windward Wildcats proved to be too much for the Crossroads Roadrunners on a hazy day at the Annenberg Beach House. The one’s for Crossroads – Maya and Skye – battled, but ultimately lost their matchup 2-0.
Crossroads beach volleyball coach Mykah Wilson was optimistic on how she expected her team to perform in the match: “I expect them to perform pretty well. We have a great team. We have a great group of athletes. They are very committed and they spend a lot of time around the sport. So, I feel good about that. We are coming off of Spring break, so we’ve had quite a lot of time off. So there’s always adjustment periods there, but I love my kids. I love how hard they work and I always believe in them.”
To start the first set, the one’s for Crossroads and Windward exchanged handshakes and said good luck. Maya was able to get the first point of the match with a tip spike. Crossroads was playing well and had an early lead to start the first set. Maya had a great volley that turned into a spike for Skye.
Coach Wilson weighed in her thoughts surrounding the one’s matchup: “I’m definitely looking forward to the one’s. The matchup there feels fun and it was competitive the last time that we played.”
Later on in the first set, Crossroads was communicating well. In terms of what it means to communicate with hand signals behind your back, Maya said, “You put a finger to whichever side you want your teammate to serve.” However, the one’s for Windward showed great teamwork as well and were able to increase the score in their favor. Windward was able to run away with the first set.
The second set started with a long rally that went Windward’s way. Crossroads was able to secure their first point of the set with a serve from Skye. After a long rally went Crossroads’ way, Skye came back with great fundamentals and a spike to secure a point. A powerful shot by Maya over the net changed the outlook of this set for the Roadrunners. The tandem seemed more relaxed and were playing more freely. Post game Maya said, “I think we did a lot better in the second set. Coming off Spring break is a little harder to adjust to.” Crossroads had the lead in the middle of this set after another powerful serve by Maya to secure a point. A creative tip spike by Skye led to another point for Crossroads. Windward took the lead with long rally’s and pin point tip spikes. The Crossroad one’s were diving all over the sand trying to send this match to a third set. Both teams were in rhythm during long rally’s. Great defense by Maya led to offense for Crossroads, after she dived for a volley and Skye finished with the spike over the net.
In terms of the outlook on the match, Skye said, “They’re a good team so it's always fun playing against a team like Windward.”
Darryl Harvey, SMDP Intern