Tick, Tick, Boom! - by Gunner Grall

    Richland Bomber volleyball game opened at Southridge. Last night, the Bombers took on the Southridge Suns. In the past years, Southridge hasn't had the strongest volleyball teams. Previous year, Southridge went 3-15, while Richland's season ended 15-8. The two teams are not typically an even game. 

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    Starting the game, Southridge sets the tone and Richland has a sluggish start. Communication seemed to be a big factor in the mistakes being made in the first set by the Bombers. Richland coming into the game knowing that Southridge isn't the strongest team, didn't seem to come out hitting hard right off the bat. The Bombers get all caught up in the points that Southridge is scoring and they realize they need to start focusing. The gym was very scarce and not much of a student section for either team, tension can be felt in every play. However, the Richland student section started to slowly form and the energy was brought up to the level the Bombers are known for. The girls for Richland used the support from the student section and they were rolling. Point after point, RHS was taking over the game into their historical role. Communication between the girls started off extremely quiet but a few minutes into the set, they started talking and communicating and it showed. When they communicate they play as one and dominate.

    Bombers are in the flow and their game is looking phenomenal, with girls calling for the ball and being in their positions. Mental mistakes occurred often throughout the first set which prevented the Bombers from taking a drastic lead, but they took the first set 25-22.


    Starting off the second set with shouts of “Bomber Power '' from student sections, Richland scores the first point and the spectators get even louder than ever. Southridge strikes back and scores a few points. They take this rally to their advantage and keep it going as Southridge keeps scoring on Richland. Bombers get their spark back and gain their lead back and build their confidence. Confidence in the Richland girls would be up and down for a while as Southridge was pounding them but they regained their footing and kept scoring in streaks. RHS would battle it out and fight-- hitting and spiking but the ball seemed to hit out-of-bounds, giving Southridge the points. Sometimes it just doesn't go the team's way and they have to keep working until they get back in the rhythm of the game. With the flip of a switch, all the balls by Richland would fly at the Southridge girls, keeping them running all over the place. The Bombers started using placement instead of power and that mindset led them to a great finish of the second set with a score of 25-17.

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    Coming back after the break and down two sets, Southridge came out hot in the third with a smack in the face to Richland. The Suns sent a message saying they weren't done yet after the two first sets. Richland gets pelted by Southridge as they make the Bombers look like little kids running and diving all over the court. Bombers battle back and both sides of the net are sprinting and diving for the ball, the rally is going forever as girls are reaching out with one hand and punching the ball over and throwing their bodies to keep the ball up. The girls are doing whatever it takes to prevent the ball from touching the court. It's a gut-wrenching feeling watching the close-set between the Suns and the Bombers as the ball goes back and forth all over the place just waiting for a mistake or someone to absolutely kill the ball. Southridge manages to get on top 13-10 on Richland and the Bombers take a timeout. Richland hits the reset button and they are back in the game. The Lady Bombers take a swing back and knock the Southridge girls out, forcing them to call a timeout after the fierce blocks and spikes from the Bombers. After the Southridge timeout, it seems that the Southridge Suns have no chance. The Bombers are locked in and are determined to finish the game strong. The crowd amplifies and the air gets thinner it's coming down the last points as the Bombers have the lead and are gapping the Suns. Serve after Serve Southridge can’t seem to communicate. Richland, noticing their lack of communication, takes advantage and smokes them. Boom! Boom! Boom! Loud heavy hits from the Bombers on Southridge's head came raining down and in the final set finishes 25-16, Richland Bombers took the win.

Gunner Grall Photo

    After speaking with Grace Moss, the starting middle hitter for the Bombers, we have a recap of the game. “The ending of the game was really good, I think that we got a little frazzled at the start being the first game in all, but I'm super excited all of our energy came together for a good win." I also spoke with Gracie regarding the seniors that they lost from last season. “I'm super excited for this season I think we're gonna have to figure out how to rebuild a little bit without them but I'm super excited I think we're gonna bring all of our new skills together and see what we got.” I also spoke with a freshman volleyball player for Richland, Roxy Grall about the experience as a Bomber and what It's like watching the older girls. She states, “It's really fun to watch and they’re really good and I'm excited to be as good as them one day”. Grall also speaks about the environment of the game, “It was very competitive and the student section was very supportive of our team."




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