Making progress

First-year Salem CC volleyball team shows signs of progress, grabs first lead, deepest lead of season in loss to Middlesex

REGION XIX VOLLEYBALL
Wednesday’s Matches
Middlesex 3, Salem CC 0
Howard CC 3, Harrisburg Area 1

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The Salem CC volleyball team is still looking for that historic first program win. It’s early in their inaugural season, but each time the Mighty Oaks have taken the floor they’ve seen signs it’s getting closer.

The Mighty Oaks made a little history Wednesday night, playing the first home volleyball match in school history. They lost to Middlesex 3-0 in DuPont Fieldhouse, but continue, as the kids say, trending upwards. The set scores were 25-16, 25-17, 25-18.

The signs are all there. They grabbed their first lead off the year with the first point of the match and held a lead in all three sets. They led deeper in a set than they had all year. They set a school record for points in the first set and increased their point production in each set that followed. They put together a nice run to make the second set close and carried it over to an early lead in the third set before Middlesex rallied to complete the sweep.

“Each time we’ve hit the court, plus with the scrimmages we’ve had, we have bested our score every time,” Mighty Oaks coach Andrea Bartlett said. “Every time we hit the floor we’re getting better, better and better. Small pieces are starting to come together. We’re starting to get a nice flow. So next time the goal will be at the very least to get 19 points instead of 18 points, and then 20 and then 21 and then hopefully eventually we’ll get that set win.”

The Mighty Oaks (0-3) lost the first two matches in program history over the weekend. They were mauled by nationally ranked host Northampton, scoring 14 total points the entire match, but held their own in the three sets with Nassau CC.

Their spirit began to show in the second set against the Colts. They faced set point at 24-11, then ran off six straight points with Tiara Bazemore serving and setting to get within 24-17 before a hitting error ended the set. Bazemore, a freshman from Salem Tech, was the first player Bartlett signed into the program.

“Out of all the games we’ve played, this was definitely the best,” Bazemore said. “Every game we’re getting more points. We’re definitely improving, especially the new players.”

The momentum they built at the finish carried over to the third set. They opened up a quick 7-3 lead and held it until a three-point run gave the Middlesex a 14-13 lead. The set was tied at 14, 15, 16 and 17, then Middlesex ran off a seven straight points and then closed it out when Bazemore challenged Brynn Conover at the net and the ball stayed on Salem’s side.

“I don’t want this to sound bad, but what we lack in skill we make up for in heart,” Bartlett said. “They are all in. They are working hard every day. Half the team is brand new, like have never touched a volleyball in their life, so the fact they come in and are getting better and better like every day that’s a win to me even if it’s not a win on the scoreboard.”

If Wednesday was any indication, getting the real thing is just a matter of time.

“The wins will come eventually,” Bartlett said. “I want them to be all-in and ready to work hard and know that all the hard work they’re putting in will eventually show up on the court. It’s not going to be as fast as they want it to be, but it will eventually show up as long as they continue to lock in.”