Volleyball: Belmont Storms Back to Beat Arlington, Closer to Playoffs

After surrendering the third set by losing 10 of the final 11 points after leading 19-14, it wouldn't have been a surprise if the Belmont High School Volleyball team would have been demoralized by a surging Arlington High squad and fall to the Spy Ponders in the fourth set.

Maybe in the past.

But this year's Marauders have preformed with a growing confidence and as Head Coach Jen Couture said recently, "We never feel out of any game."

Demonstrating a surge of aggressive play, the Marauders got out fast in the final two sets to hang on to pull off a come-from-behind victory, 3 sets to 2 (19-25, 25-15, 20-25, 25-18, 15-7) over a better-than-their-record Spy Ponders squad Friday, Oct. 18, at the Wenner Field House in Belmont. 

The victory was an important one for Belmont as it puts the team's record above .500 at 9-8, needing a single victory in their final three games to achieve the playoffs which has been the Marauders' season goal.

"Today was a really important match to still be on track to get to states," said Couture who did get a little nervous as Arlington was playing much better then the first time they met which Belmont won.

"I was hoping the game would go as it did. Obviously, in past years I didn't know which team would show up but this year they have been much more consistent every day so it's been good," she said. 

But that did not appear likely at the end of the third set. After keeping it close, Belmont raced off to a 19-15 lead only to see impressive plays by Arlington including many kills off the Marauders defense and too many Belmont errors. After bringing the score to one point at 20-21, Belmont saw two desperate shots by Arlington turn into winners to give the Spy Ponders the set win, 20-25.

But Belmont got off to a 10-4 start in the second and lengthen it to 18-9 with several kills from Alex Davis (who Couture said was "roofing everyone" and playing smart angled shots)  only to see Arlington cut the lead to 20-17. But two hitting errors by the visitors allowed Belmont some breathing room and the Marauders' nerve stayed in check to win 25-18. 

Belmont once again got out strong in the final fifth set going up 5-1 through the serving of Becki Sandvos. But at 6-3, an Arlington smash appeared to go out but was called in by the net referee. After Belmont challenged the ruling, the umpires conferred and decided to play over the point. Belmont then won the next three points on a big double block by Rosie Fitzgerald and Carola Rohner at the net, a little dunk shot from Rohner and an Arlington error.

Soon Belmont was up 10-4 and cruised to the 15-6 set and match victory. 

"The girls really rose to the challenge today," said Couture. "Everyone was playing at their best and we need that effort every game."