Last year at this time the Washington volleyball team was an over-eager group that was thrilled to be making its first playoff appearance since the Clinton administration. This time around, the “happy-to-be-here” attitude was gone and in its place was a hungry spirit that allowed the Pam Pack to devour First Flight for its first playoff win in at least 15 years.
In front of an energized home crowd, Washington flew by First Flight in the first round of the NCHSAA 2-A state playoffs, sweeping the Night Hawks in three games to advance.
“We were all really excited,” said Washington’s third-year coach Kelly Slade. “It’s (the players’) first playoff win and it’s my first playoff win at Washington High School. We were all extremely happy to be moving on to the second round.”
Unlike last year, the Pam Pack (17-7), the No. 2 seed from the Eastern Plains Conference, was able to begin the postseason at home and Slade said that made a huge difference.
“We worked really hard this season and that hard work really paid off because we were able to play a playoff game at home,” Slade said. “There is something to be said for home court advantage. We had a lot of fans that showed up to support us and we had a lot of student support that really cheered us on while we were playing.”
With the victory over First Flight, the Pam Pack has now won 10 straight games as it heads into its second round matchup on the road today against No. 1 South Granville (22-5, Northern Carolina), who beat Pasquotank to advance.
“I think we’re just peaking at the right time,” Slade said. “We finally have a set lineup that we’ve been able to consistently practice with.
“I think having that set lineup has really been key in our 10-game winning streak. We’ve found what works and we’re just tweaking some things to make us better.”
On Saturday, Washington got strong net play as Adriana Tyson and Megan Corey combined for 26 kills, while setters Allison Brantley and Ann Hunt Tanner tallied 30 assists.
“Allison Brantley and Ann Hunt Tanner both came up huge,” Slade said. “But it really was a team effort. Kaylee Jackson, Alexis Brooks and Abby Walker were big for us at the net. Everyone contributed in the win. Kaylee probably served as good as I have seen her on Saturday.”
Aside from a good team effort, Slade said what made the Pam Pack so successful was that it played “clean” volleyball by limiting its mistakes.
As Washington goes forward, it must continue to make the routine plays, along with some exceptional ones.
“I think the key for us is that we just have to keep playing our game,” Slade said. “We have to continue working together and communicating together. Fortunately, I have been given a team that has a lot of heart and they have to continue to go out there and show it.”