Team drops only one set while posting 9-0 match record during Reno tournament
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RENO >> In the case of the Never Say Die 15s club volleyball squad, team members really are saving their best for last.
Winning all nine of their matches over the course of the three-day Far Westerns National Qualifier at the Spark/Reno Convention Center in Reno, the NSD 15s, led by head coach Marci Psalmonds, won the gold bracket championship as they prepare to close out their first season of existence.
“The girls played as a team all weekend,” Psalmonds said. “The hitters took turns ripping the ball and had a lot of success running plays to keep the opposing team off balance. We ran a lot of quick tempo tandems all weekend, and it was fun to watch a very young team be so successful at it.”
Added Psalmonds, “These girls are improving every tourney, and they are going to be a lot of fun to watch over the years.”
More than 470 teams in the under-14 and under-15 divisions traveled to Reno for the competition.
“Even though we play in the 15s division, all the girls are 13 and 14 years old,” Psalmonds said of the NSD team members.
NSD lost only one set during the tournament – that in the best-of-three championship match Sunday. Their other eight wins came in straight sets. NSD capped its run with a 25-11, 22-25, 15-9 victory over SynergyForce 15 Red in the finals. Earlier in the day the team knocked off IMUA 15 Janelle 25-14, 25-23 in the quarterfinals and OMNI 15 Premier 25-12, 25-20 in the semifinals.
NSD didn’t waste much effort during Friday’s and Saturday’s rounds, dominating its opponents the entire time. On Friday, the team rolled past Twisters 15 MYLAH 25-10, 25-13, Venom Athletics Black 25-15, 25-9, SPVC Melissa 25-9, 25-5. It was more of the same Saturday as NSD ran roughshod over Slainte 15 White 25-13, 25-9, Twister 14 COOPER 25-18, 25-21and OMNI 15 Premier 25-20, 25-14.
All of NSD’s opponents were California teams.
Moana Chamberlin had 71 of NSD’s 211 kills while Liv Bushey was right behind her with 65.
“Those two dominated on the outside and played some great offense,” Psalmonds said. “They hit the line, went cross court, and found the open spot on their dinks.”
Jordyn Wurm and Madi Byrne also contributed as middle hitters.
“Jordyn played smart volleyball and found the open spot often,” Psalmonds said of Wurm with her 31 kills and 10 blocks. “Madi played very aggressive and had some very hard hits and ended up with 20 kills and seven blocks.”
Gemma Tanti added eight kills.
Setters Brooklyn Young and Olivia Arredondo spread the wealth all tourney and had a combined 189 assists. Young also had four kills.
NSD’s serving game also figured heavily in the team’s championship run, according to Psalmonds.
“Our consistent serving has always been a strong suit for us, and we had 71 aces,” Psalmonds said.
Grace Peterson’s 16 aces were a catalyst for NSD throughout the tournament.
“She rallied us quite a few times and got things going with her serve,” Psalmonds said. “Twice she went to the line and scored nine and 10 straight points to pull us ahead.”
The NSD defense logged 389 digs.
“Everyone was diving all over the court and making big plays,” Psalmonds said. “Jayce Luchetti did a great job reading the ball on the attacks and had some great digs on the opposing team’s dinks.”
The NSD 15s officially close out their season May 10-11 during the NCVA Championships in Sacramento.
