North volleyball seeks another deep run
It hasn’t been easy at times, but the North Fort Myers High School volleyball team is once again threatening to be tops in the always tough District 7A-10.
The Red Knights were challenged this week at home against district rivals Port Charlotte and Lemon Bay, but were able to rally to victory, each by 3-1 margins.
The wins put them in solid position for a No. 2 seed behind Charlotte in the district tournament coming next week with a 5-1 district record and a 13-5 mark overall, including five straight wins. This despite a very young team that has just two seniors.
Nancy Eskay, North coach, said her team has had problems maintaining the consistency and navigate through those times when the points just aren’t coming.
An example of that was against Port Charlotte where, after winning the first game, fell into a rut in the second game and never came out, allowing a weak Pirate team to tie the match.
“We have down moments in games and we need to come out on the other side successfully,” Eskay said. “Port Charlotte played an awesome game. They were great on serve receive, were hitting the ball well and shut down our offense.”
Against Lemon Bay, the Red Knights again put themselves in a hole, losing the first game 25-23 before winning the next three, albeit by close margins.
Eskay said what gets them through is an emphasis on the fundamentals, especially on passing, which along with blocking has been one of the team’s strengths this season.
Sophomore setter Kayleigh Edwards has been great in her first year as a starter and junior setter Caitlynn Cantrell transferred from Oasis High School has stepped in. Both have become great leaders.
“They’re the quarterbacks. They’re in every play and manage the game and are an extension of the coach,” Eskay said.
“Setting is pretty much controlling the court and making sure the offense has the opportunity to make kills and score,” Edwards said.
Junior Libero Erin Post has stepped in to become a top defensive specialist after being a defensive setter last year and has done a great job in service receive and holding teammates accountable, Eskay said.
“We have to sacrifice our body to make sure the ball doesn’t hit the floor,” Post said who had 21 digs in their Port Charlotte victory. “We have a young team, but we have talent and are good at picking each other up.”
They have fed players like freshman Kate Dickey, who has been great as an outside hitter and is expected to be a force for them for the next few years.
Eskay said playing deep into November isn’t as important as playing as a team and building into better all-around players, as if they take care of that first aspect, the second will take care of itself.
“Winning a district championship isn’t the focal point, but more like building the team. The district championship would be the nice reward in the end,” Eskay said.
“It’s going to be us. We’re going to win,” Post and Edwards said in unison.