Mistakes ‘pile up’ in Yellowjacket straight set loss to Cardinals
Early season difficulties with communication and attack strategy negate solid individual performances
Coach Anthony Wade pulls his team in for a serious conversation during a second set timeout.
San Bernardino, CA—Errors, miscommunication, and sloppy play at the net defined the Yellowjackets match up against the San Bernardino Cardinals yesterday. The team entered the match at 2-3 looking for a chance to reach .500 against the 0-2 Cardinals. Instead, the Yellowjackets returned to Colton with a 2-4 record after dropping this one in straight sets, 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-19).
While the Yellowjackets struggled to find an offensive rhythm throughout the match, they showed promise in spurts, but San Bernardino kept attacking their weakness at the net, forcing ball handling errors.
“I made a lot of mistakes and my team made a lot of mistakes,” said senior outside hitter Joleena Silberman. “Overall, the mistakes just piled up on us and that’s why we lost today. We weren’t talking, our effort was lost—it was just an overall mix up for everybody, and that’s why it was just an off day today.”
On offense, Leslie Venegas led the Yellowjackets with 16 attacks and three kills. Silberman added 14 attacks, three kills, and an ace. And Jayda Porter put up nine attacks and four kills.
In each of the three sets, San Bernardino got to an early lead, putting the Yellowjackets on their heels. Each time, Colton fought back, especially in the third set when they dug themselves out of a 16-9 hole to tie the set at 17. Unfortunately, they could not sustain that level of play, and gave up the set and the match.
“I think they miss one swing and lose all confidence,” said head coach Anthony Wade after the game. “And then they go in and they try too hard. It just kind of piles on.”
There won’t be much time for the Yellowjackets to stew over this loss, however. Tomorrow they are back at the Hubbs Gym to face the 0-2 Perris Panthers.
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