Bruins make statement with sweep of Jackets

Unblockable. Undiggable. Pretty much unstoppable.

The Forest Park volleyball team had the look of aspiring state champions on Monday night, which is about three weeks ahead of schedule.

Of course, facing arch rival Osbourn Park had a little something to do with the intensity level the Bruins maintained throughout a 27-25, 25-17, 25-23 sweep that clinched the Cardinal District regular season championship and a Northwest Region Tournament berth.

“OP is always fun to play. I’m kind of glad they are in our district. It keeps the season more exciting to have more challenging games,” Bruins senior setter Stephanie Saunders said. “I’m excited to play them Thursday, too.”

The rivalry certainly isn’t over. There’s no chance of that with the area’s top two teams on a collision course to meet again in the Cardinal District Tournament finals and, perhaps, the Northwest Region championship match.

At the moment, the Bruins (19-1) have the psychological and athletic advantage as they pursue the program’s 10th consecutive district tournament title.

That is largely because they have not lost a match since Sept. 24, but mainly because the area’s three best public school players at their position — middle blocker Kellie Goss, outside hitter Rachael Goss and Saunders — occupy the front row.

“I see Rachael, Kellie, and Stephanie Saunders being the difference makers as we advance from round to round. If those three are on the same page and clicking and we are passing well, watch out Virginia,” Forest Park coach Jonathan Bukva said.

“I am confident in my team’s ability to play well and win big games. With that being said, I think we have a good shot at competing for and, perhaps, winning a state title. I think my team has improved defensively throughout the season. I feel that we adjust well to specific teams and specific players.”

Sweeping Osbourn Park is proof enough of that.

The Bruins have clearly resolved any issues they had six weeks ago in Manassas when the Yellow Jackets (17-3) pulled off a three-game sweep.

As the postseason officially gets underway, Forest Park is in juggernaut mode, which essentially means that Saunders, with over 500 assists, is working her magic when it matters most.

On a night when first place and a regional berth were at stake, the Bruins’ gifted setter put the ball where the Goss twins could do the most damage and they combined for 35 kills.

“We’ve learned that when it comes down to crunch time just to do the easier sets, nothing fancy, because they can put the ball down. There’s no question about that,” Saunders said. “So when it’s close, just give them the ball.”

The Yellow Jackets (18-3) always make it close. The fun part of this rivalry is that players on both squads are club teammates and they’ve practically grown up playing with and against each other.
Add a showdown for first place into the mix and things really get interesting.

Osbourn Park hung with the Bruins for much of the night thanks to terrific defense from libero Alyssa Sanchez and timely kills from Andrea Testerman, Tori Price, Erikka Davis and Ariquel Payne.

But the Bruins are at their best in close games, rallying on a Colleen Childress block to win the opener and then fending off a late Jackets rally in game three.

“I feel like we’re extremely prepared for the postseason. We have a lot of experience on our team,” Kellie Goss said. “We are very comfortable with each other’s abilities and plus we’re all really competitive. We just want to win so we’ll do whatever it takes.”