Cape boys’ volleyball bumps it up a notch, beats IR 3-1
The weather isn’t the only thing heating up the Cape Region; the Cape boys’ volleyball team has now won eight straight and remains undefeated in the Henlopen Conference following a 3-1 victory at Indian River May 1. However, things started out a bit shaky.
“We need to minimize mistakes,” said junior Bryce Patterson. “Get our serve receive better. We had a lot of errors, especially in the first set or two.”
Trailing 20-11 in the first set, the Vikings shook off their sluggish start to battle back and win 26-24 before failing to come back in the second set, losing 25-23.
“For us to not have the most efficient offensive game and still find ways to win points is a good sign of our growth; it's a good sign of our maturity as a young team,” said Cape coach Tyler Coupe.
Cape cruised in the third set, 25-13, to take a 2-1 lead.
“The best part of our game was just keeping the ball inbounds,” Patterson said. “Honestly, we just had to play our game and then force them to make mistakes.”
IR did not go quietly but ultimately fell in the fourth set 25-23 to give the Vikings a 3-1 victory.
Senior Talan Stephens registered an eye-popping 47 assists for Cape, while Patterson led the Vikings with 28 kills and finished second with 15 digs. Blake Catts led the team with 16 digs and three aces. Braxton Figgs’ five blocks were good for the team lead.
“This game was a big confidence boost, to come back in the first set and then manage a 3-1 win after being tied at one,” Patterson said. “It was a big confidence boost heading into the last couple of games of the regular season.”
Moving to 10-1 on the season, the Vikings remain unbeaten in the Henlopen Conference with Smyrna the only conference opponent left. Cape will look to make it nine wins in a row when they travel to Newark Charter Saturday, May 4.
“We are not a one-star team; no one kid is going to lead us,” Coupe said. “We are a cast of characters, and we are a cast of supporting role players.”
