Varsity volleyball suffered a loss against Kaufman in three games on Friday, Sept. 11. However, there were some close games with the scores being 25-17 in the first set, 25-16 in the second, and just barely 26-24 in the third set. The girls got off to a steady start in the third set and were ahead until the very end until the little mistakes let Kaufman catch up.

The match against Kaufman was a good test to see where the team is against an equal 4A team. Head coach Sarah Hallum is beginning to emphasize keeping focus and minimizing unforced errors as district gets closer. Hallum thinks the loss came from the girls not playing to their full potential.

“We have to continue to work on our mental focus and always competing at a higher level,” Hallum said. “The next two weeks will be a lot of mental preparation.”

The players were disappointed in themselves too, for allowing the loss on their record. The girls thought they could pull through and win the game in five sets like they have done in past games, but they just fell short.

“I feel mad about the game because we didn’t do our best,” Julia Valdez (Middle, 10) said. “I agree with Coach about us being unfocused, but I think the problem was us not being energized or into the game enough. We really should’ve won.”

The parents and fans are always supportive of the girls no matter what. However, they felt like the team could have won this week. Parents have accepted the loss, but agree that the girls have the next one. The players have another chance at redemption at home on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 6 and 7 p.m. against Dallas-Carter where they can hopefully rack up a win.

“The girls could’ve communicated more, and lifted each other up,” parent, Becky Kalkstein said. “The team dwells too much on their mistakes; they have to do a better job of shaking it off and focusing on the next point. We got beat and there’s nothing else to it, but I still believe in these girls.”