Gilbert takes care of Basha in volleyball opener

September 2, 2014 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Neither team was on top of its game Tuesday night as Gilbert and Basha opened their 2014 girls volleyball season.

One of the state's steadiest players -- Gilbert outside hitter Makenna Martin--  lived up to her billing with solid play helping Gilbert prevail in three sets over Basha, 25-19, 25-19, 25-16 in a Division I match at Basha High.

"There's a lot of things to be learned in a first game," Gilbert coach Joe Hesse said. "We had some jitters at times. I hope they were jitters because we can play better than we did. But playing Basha in the first game was not an easy game."

Each of the first two sets were tight until Gilbert distanced itself at about the 18-point mark. Gilbert struggled with one of the strengths Hesse is counting on -- serving -- and that helped keep Basha close in the first two sets. Martin came up with five kills each in the first two sets and added eight more in the third to make opening night a winning one for Gilbert.

"Our strengths are serving and defense," Hesse said. "Tonight defense carried us. It's nice having Makenna out there.  She's our best player and a complete player. She's not as dynamic as some others, but that's OK."

Gilbert didn't let Basha stay close as long in the third set, reeling off six straight points to snap an 11-11 tie. Libero Kameryn Hill serving five of those points, including an ace. Four of Gilbert's final five points came on kills by Katilyn Lines and Alexa Rockas (two each). Martin led Gilbert with 18 kills and sophomore outside hitter Lines added 10 kills. Hill led in digs with 10.

Basha coach Terri Spann was disappointed with the openings Gilbert afforded her team that went by the wayside.

"It was frustrating," Spann said. "They had a lot of service errors, maybe 10, in the first game and we didn't take advantage. We shanked some balls and didn't capitalize on free balls. We need to work to get better in our rotations"

Basha junior outside Justine Spann led the Bears with 12 kills. Spann recently committed to Colorado. Setter Alex Fisher had 23 assists and six digs.

 

 

 

 

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