The game started off slow – passes, sets, hits from each team – but no team seemed like they really wanted it. Westfield started up a few points, 8-4, but they got too comfortable in this spot. The Blue Devils made a couple of small mistakes, putting Elizabeth up in the middle of the first set. Trailing behind, Westfield was not able to keep up, ending the first set, 25-19.
The second set started with the tides turning for the Blue Devils. They looked like they wanted to win it. “We finally matched their intensity,” said head coach Ed Saggio. Each team went point-for-point for a majority of the set, performing at an equal level. However, a pause in play occurred when the referees accused Westfield of moving out of rotation. This confused parents, players and coaches, but it ended with the accusation being dismissed as it seemed as though the referees had made a mistake. This long pause threw Westfield off their game, allowing Elizabeth to escape them towards the end of the set. Regaining their confidence, Westfield was able to tie the score, 23-23, leaving them in crunch time.
If the game would continue, the Blue Devils had to finish it right there and win the second set. Westfield’s serve set Elizabeth up for a good play, and it seemed like it was over for the Blue Devils. But junior libero Brandon Genlot made a diving play. He was able to save the ball, leading to junior hitter Veer Agawal’s kill, putting Westfield up, 24-23. In another powerful serve from Westfield, Elizabeth was unable to receive, ending the second set, 25-23, bringing the match into a third set.
“When entering a third set, I shift my mindset to one of confidence and belief in my ability to win. I know I can perform at a higher level than my opponents, and I prepare mentally for the challenge. This mindset shift is crucial in determining the outcome of the match,” said senior captain Sebastian Lorenzo. As a setter, the team’s success relies on Lorenzo’s performance. He currently leads the team with a total of 165 assists—the rest of the team has 25 combined. During this game, Lorenzo racked up 28 of the team’s 29 assists. Both his mentality and his performance going into the third set propelled the Blue Devils to their 2-1 victory over Elizabeth.
Going into their next game, the Blue Devils are looking “to get better defensively,” said Saggio. “That’s our weakness right now: positioning defensively in the back row.” Westfield is set to play their next game against Plainfield at Westfield High School on April 19 at 4:00 p.m..
