Sports
All About Defense for BHHS Girls Volleyball
The Normans lost most of their starters—and height—after last season but the team is now trying to take games with digs instead of spikes.
"Kill the Fish."
That's probably the unlikeliest of sports mottoes, but it works for Beverly Hills girls volleyball.
"The idea is that when you get the opportunity and the fish bites that hook, you really take advantage and kill the fish and not let it get away," head coach Marla Weiss said.
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Like hooking a fish, the female Normans' defensive style of play requires focus, patience and endurance to score points.
"We're more of a defensive team than an offensive team, so we'll win by having long rallies and let the other team make the mistake," said captain Emily Rosen, a senior and one of the few returning varsity players. "Last year we had a lot bigger team in height…We won by putting balls down on the first play. This year we need to win by being consistent, having good ball control and winning those long rallies."
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Rosen is an all-league starter from last year's squad that went 9-1 in league play and won the Ocean League title. She plays the position of libero, or defensive specialist. Weiss said Rosen is "the backbone of our defense."
Despite winning the league last season, Weiss knows this year will be more of a challenge.
"We have two groups of teams in our league, some stronger competition and some weaker competition," she said. "Santa Monica High School will definitely be the team to beat in our league."
But BHHS is confident in its game, even with a height disadvantage.
"We'll definitely surprise teams. We'll step into the gym, and they'll think, 'Oh, short team,' " Rosen said. "But we have the defense and we are consistent…Hopefully it will lead to some wins."
