BHS puts finishing touch on Centennial
| Friday, Nov 14 2008 12:30 PM
Last Updated Friday, Mar 27 2009 02:09 PM
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Bakersfield's Lauren Holderman (3) sends a shot past Centennial's Regan Richert during Thursday's playoff match at Centennial.
The difference between the Centennial and Bakersfield high volleyball teams in their Central Section Division I quarterfinal match on Thursday night?
How the Drillers finished.
No. 5 Bakersfield traveled across town and swept the fourth-seeded Golden Hawks 25-22, 25-21, 25-21 at Centennial High to advance to the semifinals.
Bakersfield will hit the road again on Tuesday to take on No. 1 Clovis-West, which swept Fresno-Bullard.
Not that Bakersfield's victory had nothing to do with how the Drillers started, it just had everythingto do with how they finished.
In all three games, Bakersfield (23-11) and Centennial (22-11) were tied 18-18, but it was the Drillers who rallied late each time.
"We were able to keep the pressure on them and finish," Bakersfield coach Tom Clarke said. "Particularly in Game 3, we got down three points early and were able to fight back. I told them the difference was going to be blocking balls. And we blocked two big balls to finish the match."
In all three pressure situations, the Drillers maintained their composure.
"We just know that we have to play together and keep calm," said senior middle blocker Lauren Holderman, who had 17 kills and 16 digs. "If we do what we need to do and keep our heads in it we'll be able to finish strong."
The outcome was a tough finish for Centennial, which won Division II last year. But Golden Hawks coach Brooke Roberts had nothing but praise for her team.
"This is an extraordinary group of young women," Roberts said. "From Day 1 they could be defined by their work ethic and their attitude. They have phenomenal work ethic and beautiful attitudes. Those two things alone define some of the best people I know."
