On Tuesday, March 3, the Lady Rays beach volleyball team faced the Stingrays of Seacrest Country Day School. The Lady Rays lost 1-4. The game was played at Paradise Coast Sports Complex and started at 3:30 pm. 

From the start, the Stingrays came out strong, applying pressure and varying their shot selection. The Lady Rays fought hard to keep up with the Stingrays, but they could not catch up fast enough. Both sides of the net were hustling to keep up with each other.

When points were not in favor of the Lady Rays, their energy was still up, which helped them fight back and win some crucial points. Junior Amelia Skender says that “you could just tell everybody on the court was having fun, which I think is the most important aspect.”

The weather was against both teams. There was a very strong wind, and some rain mixed in as well. 

Each pair faced tough competition, as Seacrest showed strong defensive coverage and smart shot placement. While the sand made it more difficult for the players to move, especially laterally, the Lady Rays showed resilience and determination throughout the match. Despite all the efforts, the Stingrays of Seacrest won four out of the five matchups. 

The highlight of the afternoon was pair number four winning their match against the Stingrays. They were the only pair to win their match, and it was in two straight sets. While pair number one was able to take a set, they could not win the entire game.

Although the score was not in favor of the Lady Rays, their effort, attitude, and determination were unmatched. Junior Sarah Friedhoff points out that she is “proud of how our team played. We’ve definitely improved since the last time we had a game, and played with more confidence and teamwork.” 

The competition was still intense, and all five games were good to watch. Facing skilled opponents this early in the season provides good lessons in the game of beach volleyball. 

As the team looks ahead to future matches, they will apply what they learned from Tuesday. The Lady Rays take the sand again on March 17 at Westminster Christian.This game is scheduled at their sand at 2 pm for a doubleheader. The Lady Rays are determined to bounce back and compete at a high level.