With all the expectations of being the top-ranked team in a new volleyball season, Broadneck begin the home part of their schedule with a visit from Crofton.
After a hesitant start, the Broadneck flexed its muscles and dominated the Cardinals, 25-21, 25-10, 25-14 in an Anne Arundel County league match.
The Bruins were led by seniors Anna Graves and Kennedy Smith. Graves contributed 13 kills and three aces, while Smith had 12 kills, one block and two digs.
The vibe around this edition of the Bruins is different. Coach Tracey Regalbuto started four freshmen Thursday night, and they complement a returning corps of juniors and senior very well. Smith says the talented freshmen, led by libero Alexis Luscomb, have definitely made their presence felt.
“We just jelled all together this year [in tryouts],” Smith said. “It’s great having them on the team and contributing. We know we need everyone to pitch in for us to be successful.”
Broadneck looked a little tentative in the first set. The visiting Cardinals took a 19-14 lead, then the Bruins became the Bruins. Led by the serving of junior Barrett Bolter, Broadneck went on an 11-2 run to close out the set, 25-21.
“We started a little flat tonight,” Regalbuto said, “but we talked about it and addressed it. I feel like everybody is going to come out plugging against us. It was our first home game and everyone was a little excited. We’re just getting started.”
The second set was the most dominant one for the Bruins. The Bruins poured on the offense right from the start. Behind service runs by Luscomb and sophomore Julie Wagner, Broadneck built a 17-6 lead. Crofton, led by sophomore Vivien Sopha, cut the margin to 20-10, but Broadneck finished out the set on a 5-0 run to take a 2-0 set lead.
Regalbuto began using her subs in the last set and the Cardinals kept it close. Crofton trailed only 15-10 after an Aryana Mohammadi kill, but Broadneck used another serving run by Graves to build a 21-13 lead. The match ended on a service ace by Luscomb with Broadneck taking the third set, 25-14.
The goal at Broadneck hasn’t really changed. There’s a quiet confidence at the school this year, but the Bruins need to get their program across the finish line. The Bruins are looking to win the school’s first state title since 2008. Broadneck has been in the title game twice since then but fallen short both times. One of those times was last season, when they fell to Richard Montgomery.
“We know we were better than what we showed last year,” Graves said. “We did the best we possible could, but we fell short. We all fit in so well this year, so that will definitely be our goal at the end of the year.”
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