Volleyball’s intense home opener ends in defeat, loses to Desert Mirage 3-0

Team led by solid front line play by Glory Mgbemere and Joleena Silberman

Kaila Garcia, Pepper Bough Staff Writer|August 18, 2022

Annaleigha Hernandez

Grace Osueke rises for the kill during the match against Desert Mirage.

Colton, CA—Volleyball is in season and the Lady Yellowjackets are here to serve! 

Girls volleyball took the court last night at Hubbs Gym for their first home game of the season. The result was not what they were looking for, losing to Desert Mirage in straight sets, 3-0.

Beginning with the first set serve from Desert Mirage, the Yellowjackets looked stumped and couldn’t seem to get a grip on the hits from the opposing team. Colton took an early time out, behind 3-9. 

The timeout inspired the team to rally, but Desert Mirage took the first set, 25-11.

The Lady Yellowjackets quickly pulled themselves together as a team to start the second set. Service from Kiara Verdin and   strategic attacks from front line right side hitter Joleena Silberman propelled the Yellowjackets to a 12-11 lead. Back row support from libero Jennifer Amaral, Leslie Venegas, and Justeen Robledo pushed the Colton lead to 20-14.

Then Colton stalled, and Desert Mirage took advantage, scoring six unanswered points. A back-and-forth battle put the teams neck-and-neck, as Desert Mirage took a slim  24-25 lead to put the Yellowjackets on their heels. 

An untimely miscommunication by Colton gave Desert Mirage the second set victory, 26-24.

“I think we did well, I think we had a few issues executing at the end of the finishing game, but I think the second set went well.” Coach Anthony Wade said at the end of the second set.

In the final third set, the ladies were hyped up and determined after that narrow second set loss. The third set was just as tight and intense. 

After a timeout with the Yellowjackets down 9-10, Glory Mgbemere and Joleena Silberman served up some aces and put Colton in the lead 20-13. 

Despite their excitement, the Yellowjackets couldn’t finish off Desert Mirage. The Rams fought back and tied the game at 21. The Yellowjackets played tough, but Desert Mirage finished the set and match with a 26-24 victory off a missed spike that went out of bounds.

“A lot of good things came from this game and I think we learned a lot as a team,” said Coach Wade. “We became better from it. I don’t think we are where we need to be yet, so it is a learning process, but I think we learned a lot today, and we will get better and that’s what I’m happy about. I’m excited for it, kind of disappointed on the end result, but happy about some of the things the team had done.”