Bay volleyball team now has confidence to go with talent
By Zachary Dzurick
Sports
Published Oct. 5, 2005

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Before this current volleyball season began, Bay high school coach Tony Tahan believed his team could win the first ever Westshore Conference. Despite a tough 2004 season, Tahan knew he had the athletes and the talent to compete for at title.

"I have been here for four years and I have always had athletes," Tahan said. "We had height and quickness. We had everything. We needed a strong mentality and to refuse to accept the losing atmosphere."

Tahan also knew he needed step up the intensity of practice, to help with that he hired Danny Andrich.

"Danny can do things on the court that can help prepare the girls," Tahan said. "He has a rich background and help in our drills."

The key was to convince the girls that winning was a possibility. After years of losing, for many team members joining the WSC was a breath of fresh air.

“Changing conference gave us confidence, in the past we played so many strong teams that we were kind of like we don't have to work hard we can just have fun," senior Laura Godfray said. "Now we realize we can work hard and win."

Members of the Bay volleyball team enjoy being a part of the homecoming parade last Friday. The Lady Rockets are in first place in the WSC. (Photo by Larry Bennet)

"When we would play the team from the old conference, we would fold in the middle of the game. We didn't follow through," junior Jenna Hunger said. "You want to have wins behind you. You look on the wall and you know we haven't won a conference since 1983."

The foundation was there to build on. A little early successes combine with the coaching staff's faith had the Rockets at 14-4 including a first place mark of 9-1 heading into last night's showdown with second place Fairview.

"Coming into the season, I knew we had a lot of experience in with some three year starters," senior Claire Tromba said. "I knew that we had the capability and athletic ability to succeed. Coach's encouragement was beneficial to the motivation behind doing well in the conference. Our practices are so much more intense and we practice necessary skills rather than the same thing day after day. We are focusing on our weaknesses. Also for the first time in a long time, I think we have the athletes we want on our team. Before you would think I wished she played volleyball instead of soccer but now we have the athletes we should have."

Maybe the competition is not at the same level as before, but when the team beat former SWC rival and current WSC member Fairview, that really helped the confidence of the team.

"At the beginning, we were winning and I thought this was fun, but when we beat Fairview in the first game I thought maybe we can actually have a chance to win conference," Hunger admitted.

"All of us realized if we played to our potential that we could be conference champs and coach's enthusiasm made us believe it," senior April Devito said.

Devito has been key in Bay's resurgence so it was a scary moment when she was injured against Midview and had to leave the game. She also had to miss the next game as well. Winning without her also boosted the confidence of the team. Devito was ecstatic with how her team responded to her injury.

"I am ridiculously proud of our entire team," Devito said. "When I first went down in that game I panicked because I did not know how they would react. But everyone pulled it together and we won and I was so happy."

Tahan was not sure how much Devito would play, if at all, last night against Fairview. He knows for the team to make a long run in the playoffs in a bracket that includes Fairview, Olmsted Falls, Rocky River and Keystone, he needs a healthy Devito.

"April is a huge difference maker," Tahan said. "She is a go-to-girl. I don't have to sub her. She might be our best passer. She is our best blocker and most consistent hitter, but it is her defense that is top-notch. Her attitude as a leader on and off the court is also tremendous. She gave the girls a speech about homecoming and understanding what is important for the team. If anyone would make wrong choice that would affect the whole team."

One key to playing well without her has been the play of setter Laura Godfray.

"April has not been missed as much because if we had an average setter and the passes were not there, people would give up," Tahan said. "Laura Godfray is very special. She chases down everything and makes good sets out of bad passes. Laura should be the MVP of this conference."

Now Bay is the team others are chasing rather than the other way around.

"Last year we were all hunting everyone, now people are hunting us," junior Lauren Voll said. "It is harder because other coaches are putting more pressure on their teams to try and beat the top team. Since the first game, we have all come together as a circle of sisters.”

For now the team is just pumped that the school and town are starting to notice that there are other fall sports rather than just soccer.

"This is a soccer town first, but now it is exciting that younger girls are noticing volleyball and supporting us," Voll said. "It is inspiring."