The Johnston girls’ volleyball team grabbed its second consecutive win with ease last Thursday, sweeping Providence Country Day, 3-0, behind set victories of 25-12, 25-11 and 25-11.
The win pushed the young Johnston team’s record to 2-1 on the season.
“It’s very helpful,” Johnston head coach Greta Lalli said of early wins building her team’s confidence. “We play Woonsocket and Tiverton next and we haven’t played them, so we’re not sure what to expect these next couple of matches. But these wins early are important. We’re 2-1 now, so that definitely builds our confidence for sure.”
The Panthers had the match under control from the opening point.
With Alyssa Johnson on serve, Johnston tallied the first six points of the first set against the Knights, triggering a quick timeout from the opposition to talk things over.
A kill from Sophia DaCosta ballooned the early lead to 13-2, and PCD couldn’t make up ground from there, as the home team cruised to take the first set, 25-12.
In the second set, PCD came out showing some fight.
It produced a 4-0 run to start the set behind the serving of Lea Bourgeois. The Panthers chipped away, though, with a pair of aces from sophomore Gabby DiRaimo giving Johnston its first lead of the set at 8-7.
PCD would claim the next three points but, after that, Johnston went on its best run of the match, outscoring the Knights 17-1 to run away with the set, 25-11.
That 17-1 run was a result of Johnston’s dominant serving, with Maikou Kue posting two aces and DaCosta compiling eight to turn the set around.
Serving will definitely be one of Johnston’s biggest strengths this season.
“I focus a lot on serving with the girls,” Lalli said. “Every year, it pays off and can swing the momentum of the match. It gives them confidence when they’re serving strongly.”
PCD came out strong in the third set, as well, but its serving woes hurt it eventually, as Johnston took a 9-6 lead and never looked back.
Some more big serving from Johnson and DaCosta gave the Knights fits down the stretch to clinch the third set and the match for the Panthers.
It’s still very early in the season, but Lalli is already noticing progression.
“I’m seeing them understand the game a little bit more,” Lalli said of what has improved from the first match to the third match. “They have a better sense of the game. They’re loosening up and know where they’re going. Some things need to improve, but what they’ve shown so far is complete dedication.”
The Panthers were set to play at Woonsocket on Wednesday, but results were unavailable at press time.
They will also host Tiverton on Monday at 5:30 p.m.
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