The Battle Ground Tigers volleyball program just needed two games this season to eclipse last year’s one-win mark.
Even in a 3-1 loss to 1A Columbia High School on Wednesday, Sept. 10, Tigers’ head coach Myke Pace enjoyed the progress he saw out on the floor. The Tigers closed out last week with a record of 2-2. The Battle Ground varsity volleyball team hasn’t had a two-win season in a few years, but this year’s squad accomplished it in two games.
“It’s good to have some wins under our belt, and it’s good to have a challenge like this,” Pace said. “I think it’s going to make us better as we go into the rest of our schedule.”
Against the Columbia Bruins, the Tigers lost the first two sets 25-13, 25-12, but won a thrilling third set 25-22 and nearly mounted a comeback in set four, but lost 25-20.
Prior to the Sept. 10 matchup, the Tigers had gone 2-0, both games won in three straight sets. Battle Ground has a young team, but also includes seniors who are leading the squad and hoping to set a new culture for underclassmen.
“I think we’ve got a young team and we’re still gelling together, playing together for the beginning,” Pace said. “And so that is only going to get better as they get to know each other better on the court, and so we’ve got some good mix of new and senior leadership and youngsters.”
The team has fresh and senior leadership, along with some just starting to gain varsity experience in the brand new volleyball season. The Tigers pack a roster with five seniors, three juniors and four sophomores.
“That’s a good combo, and the way they showed some heart tonight by coming back and not folding in adversity is really impressive,” Pace said, adding that the mix of experience on the roster is a great team to coach. “It’s actually really fun to coach. It’s fun to coach because all the seniors that have been around for a few years and we haven’t had successful seasons are really hungry. And the young ones are really excited to start something and to start the push for the future.”
The Tigers followed up with a three-set loss to King’s Way Christian High School. But even in a three-set loss early in the season, the Tigers can continue to grow and gel as a team, as Pace highlighted that as a big goal. His biggest aspiration for his Tigers squad is to just be competitive in each match.
“I’d love to get match wins, but I want us to be competitive in every match and get better all the time,” Pace said.
The Battle Ground Tigers will next play at Prairie High School on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m., and then at Firm Foundation Christian School on Monday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m.
