KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Like many others involved in the busy and competitive Triple Crown Sports NIT, the Coast Volleyball Club 18s very much needed a solid Sunday afternoon of action.
After starting 1-2 in the always challenging power pool, Coast finds itself in a position to compete for a NIT 18u Elite Division Championship. How? Well, the San Diego-based club team rallied on Sunday, earning three consecutive victories — with the final two coming in straight sets. The first match of the day proved to be the toughest one for Coast to come by as it edged Sky High-Adidas Elite (22-25, 25-23, 15-6). Then, Coast topped AZ Sky Gold (25-13, 25-20) and Miami Hype (25-16, 25-13) to wrap up Sunday action. So, what was the key to Coast’s successful day? We’ll let Indiana University commit Jaidyn Jager clue us in on the secret. “I think we started with high energy and that helped us because we kept it at that,” the 6-foot-1 outside hitter said. “And then we did a great job of siding out quickly, making sure we didn’t allow them to get runs. We were listening to each other and trusting each other on each play.” Saren Rogers, Jaidyn’s position mate, knows that Coast will need to replicate that energy and focus on Championship Monday. “We just need to come in really focused and keep our eyes on the prize and our goals we set out as a team,” said Rogers, a Point Loma Nazarene University commit. “The competition is really good here and it’s a very high level.” Led by head coach Ozhan Bahrambeygui, Coast returns to Elite Division Championship action at 8:30 a.m. Monday on Court 4 for a quarterfinal match against 1st Alliance Gold (5-1). It’s, of course, win or go home from here. But Jager and Rogers are confident. “We can win,” they both stated. The following teams are joining Coast (4-2) and 1st Alliance for the final day of action in the Elite Division Championship: TAV Black (6-0), KC Power (5-1), Triangle Black (5-1), Club V (4-2), Tri-State Elite Blue (4-2) and Madfrog Green (3-3). |
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