Windham varsity volleyball drops match to Marshwood

By Matt Pascarella

It was Senior Night for Windham varsity volleyball in their final home game against Marshwood on Thursday, Oct. 8 and seniors Arihanna Ramos, Shaylin Burrell, Taelyn Morris, Chloe Poitras and Zoi Candelmo were each presented with a small gift to thank them and their families for their time and efforts to Windham Athletics. Windham played two very strong sets against the Hawks and kept their heads up during the third set. Despite their efforts, they fell 3-0 to Marshwood.

Windham High junior Alyvia Kenney hits the ball back over
the net from mid-air during a prep volleyball game against
Marshwood on Senior Night at WHS.
PHOTO BY MATT PASCARELLA 

 on “We had a lot of motivation for beating this team for playoffs; this would have been our bridge to making playoffs,” said Ramos. “I think the fact that it’s our Senior Night tonight gave us a lot of motivation. The plan for this game was to have fun and celebrate the seniors ... I’m very glad I got to work with this team. I think we did great, the first two sets were one of the best we’ve played. We fought, we put in a lot of energy, we didn’t want to give up. What went well in this game was our attitude, our effort. We were setting up, we were playing simple; we were playing the game that we usually play.”

During the first set, Windham began strong with a small lead and smart volleys. The game was soon tied 5-5. Marshwood took the lead, but Windham was working hard to make up the difference.

Junior Avalon Sibley had a solid block. Now, the game was tied 15-15. Windham kept it up with only two points separating the teams at one point. The Hawks pulled ahead and won this set 25-19.

The Eagles pressured early on, and the game was tied 8-8. Marshwood began to pull away again, but Windham worked to close the points gap. Marshwood won this set 25-19.

“We really wanted to win tonight; we wanted to go into it with a positive mindset and play our hearts out for our seniors,” said Windham junior and libero Alyvia Keeney. “I think we played our hardest, we did our best and that’s what matters. We were getting the swings on the balls we were attacking well, but we need a lot more work on communication, because we are still a very young team.”

Windham was not about to give up in the third set. However, Marshwood took a big lead early on and stayed out in front. The Eagles kept their heads up but trailed by 10 points. Soon it was game point and Marshwood won 25-12.

“We know that Marshwood has been working hard in the offseason, so we knew we couldn’t underestimate them,” said Windham varsity volleyball assistant coach Cassie Fleck. “Tonight our main goal was to anticipate and read instead of react, which in the first two sets they did very well, I’m very happy with them. In the third set they got a little tired. Our talking, pulling out who needs to play that ball ahead of time, was getting better. Recently we had just worked on our out-of-system setting, so getting a ball to a hitter that’s from not the ideal spot. I’m very pleased with how they did that, too. Endurance (needs work). Being able to go five sets – it’s hard for any team. We’re looking from our players that we can have that core group that we can trust; but then keeping that energy going for however many sets we play.” <