Beacon downs Mariner in volleyball matchup
The Beacon volleyball team downed cross-district rival Mariner 25-17 and 26-24 Oct. 30 at Cape High to move to 6-2 with one match left in the season. Mariner finished its 2023 season at 7-3.
Both teams started slowly, with Beacon taking the first set. The second-set matchup was everything a smashball fan would want in a rivalry game, as the two teams switched leads throughout the set that culminated in a Beacon victory.
Fiona Paul led Mariner with four kills. Joelle Stephens scored three. Victoria Pesquera Pacheco served two aces.
Beacon was led by Journey McDaniel with 10 assists and six aces. Minnie Pettengell served six aces and pounded three kills.
“We just needed to talk more, and we did that in the second set,” said Mariner eighth-grader Joelle Stephens. “I love these girls. They’re the best.“
“It was a close match,” said Beacon eighth-grader Madeleine Ruffcorn. “We came together as a team and pulled through with the win. I’m excited for the two teams to come together next year as one Vikings team.”
“I’m happy with the girls playing as a unit against a strong Mariner team,” said Beacon head coach Vince Failla. “We forced them out of system with strong serving, which gave us an advantage. “Overall, our season has seen nothing but huge strides of growth. I put a ton of pressure on our girls in practice, which helps them excel in our matches. I’m so proud of the individual growth each player has shown and how much they’ve grown as a unit over the course of the season.”
“The season was a huge success,” said Mariner head coach Alison Herman. “This was the first time our team made it to the top eight middle school tournament due to our record of 7-2. This group of girls has worked hard through the off-season in club, too. The Beacon game was not our best effort. Monday games can be difficult, and the atmosphere seemed to frighten our girls. But we have a good crew we are sending to the high school, so I cannot wait to watch them develop in the future.“
