Matanzas celebrates senior pair with first 'home' beach volleyball match

The Pirates won three of five matches against DeLand to improve to 4-10 in their first official season.

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In the past, a "home" match for the Matanzas beach volleyball team meant piling into vans and driving to DME Academy in Daytona Beach.

But on the Pirates' first-ever senior day on April 13, they finally got to host a match on their own sand.

Flagler County Parks and Recreation Supervisor Craig Lenninger made sure everything was done right for the match against DeLand at Wadsworth Park.

"I couldn't believe it driving up. It looks so good," said Brooke Ballschmieder, one of two seniors on the team, who were honored between matches.

Lenninger, who runs pro beach volleyball events, had the two sand courts decked out with EVP Pro Beach Tour nets, lines, ball markers and antennas. He emceed the event, doing play-by-play at one of the two courts, and played music through a sound system.

"It's the first-ever home sand volleyball match for Flagler County, and it's senior day, so we wanted to do something nice for them."

CRAIG LENNINGER, Flagler County parks and recreation supervisor

"It's the first-ever home sand volleyball match for Flagler County, and it's senior day, so we wanted to do something nice for them," Lenninger said.

Seniors Ballschmieder and Ashley Grove teamed up for the first time and won their match in straight sets to help the Pirates defeat DeLand 3-2.

Sydney Moses and Senna Thayer won in three sets, and Kala Lansford and Charlie Robinson won in two sets for the Pirates.

Coach Dawn Moses started a Matanzas club team two years ago. This year, the Florida High School Athletic Association is sanctioning the sport for the first time.

The Pirates were winless in their first full season last year. With the victory against DeLand, they improved to 4-10 this season with one road match remaining before the district tournament April 27 at DME.

"Our kids have really grown as beach volleyball players," Coach Moses said. "They're starting to understand angles and the things they need to do to win.

"Our kids have really grown as beach volleyball players. They're starting to understand angles and the things they need to do to win."

DAWN MOSES, Matanzas coach

She said the players are getting efficient with the option play — hitting it over on the first or second touch to catch opposing the pair off guard.

"We've had a tough schedule, she added. "Spruce Creek, Episcopal, Bishop Kenny — those are all tough teams."

Ballschmieder and Grove teamed up for the first time this season, but they have played together on the indoor team for four years and know each other well.

"I know how she hits and where the sets are going to be," Ballschmieder said. "I know she's fast and good with hops."

"And Brooke is good on defense," Grove said. "If she has to go back and get a ball, she'll make sure she gets there and pops it up."

The match was originally scheduled to be played at DME's sand courts. Coach Moses was grateful that Lenninger and the county made the Wadsworth match possible.

"This is a great way for us to end our high school season," Grove said.

"It does look amazing," Ballschmieder said. "We appreciate it."

 

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