Buckeye Valley volleyball coach Mark Sisler has done something that his three predecessors didn’t … he came back for a second season.
Senior Hallie Kaiser is just happy to have a little consistency within the program. Kaiser, along with fellow captain Cameron Romo, are among eight seniors.
“It’s definitely a lot better,” Kaiser said. “This is our first year having the same coach. I’m excited for the next coming years.”
It’s tough on any team to have to learn a new coaching style, schemes and vocabulary.
“Having a new coach is difficult because every coach has their own coaching style,” Kaiser said. “Finally knowing what we’re doing — what we’re running — it helps us to play better.”
Sisler believes that a team will only get better by playing better competition. BV has Utica and Bishop Hartley in the coming weeks. Utica still hasn’t lost a match and Hartley is the defending Division II state runner-up.
His squad has already won more MOAC games than it did the previous two seasons combined (3).
And Thursday night the Barons added one more to that total with a four-set victory over Clear Fork (3-12, 0-8).
BV (5-7, 5-4) responded nicely to a rocky second set to win 25-11, 25-27, 25-13, 25-21.
It was a step in the right direction for the Barons, who have struggled coming back from adversity. Sisler was happy with the way his team responded.
“I like the way we came together as a team,” Sisler said. “We regrouped, made some adjustments and the girls really played well and came together.”
Sisler thought his squad was more in sync on both sides of the ball.
“The most important thing tonight is that we had really good offensive and defensive flow,” he said. “I was really happy with that.”
Sisler credited the play of junior Paige Milhon, who moved from the outside to the middle. It worked.
“Tonight, was her first time in the middle and she loved it,” Sisler said. “If she continues playing like that, I’m going to keep her there. She’s really affecting the other team’s offense, which helps us defensively.”
Cassandra Vaughn had eight kills, Kali Weikle had seven kills and four blocks and Courtney Weekley had 39 digs to lead the Colts.
BV is back in action Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. when it visits Grandview Heights in non-league action.
BOYS SOCCER
Ryan Skinner found the back of the net a couple times as Olentangy rolled to a 6-1 win over visiting Dublin Scioto Thursday in Lewis Center.
Matt Celona, Jackson Tomsic and Alec Heidl also scored for the Braves.
GIRLS SOCCER
Pickerington North 5, Olentangy Liberty 0.
GIRLS TENNIS
Hilliard Darby 3, Big Walnut 2; Olentangy Orange 5, Upper Arlington 0.
