After going 0-48 before Head Coach Cody Burton took over the program, the Todd Beamer High School Titans volleyball team has its eyes set on the postseason.
Last year the Titans won three games. This year that total is over 11.
“We only won those three games last year. So now winning 11 games, including tournament games, is a big deal for us. The growth is monumental, and the girls are working really hard for it,” Burton said.
The Titans took down Kentlake in four sets at home on Oct. 23. It is just the second time Kentlake has been beaten by a league opponent this season.
“I think we were hungrier to come back and beat them in our own house. I feel like we had the dedication and wanted it really bad,” said junior Jane Wanjiku.
It’s a mark of resilience for the Titans. Earlier in the season, Todd Beamer was beaten three sets to none by the Falcons.
“Every time we play someone we try and learn our weaknesses. Even against Kent-Meridian, we lost 3-1, but then bounced back to beat them 3-0,” said Burton.
The win asserted Todd Beamer as the fourth seed in the NPSL, which gives them prime real estate for a playoff spot in the West Central District Tournament.
“I think we’re proving people wrong. It’s been a long time since we’ve won this many games. I think we’re proving our point,” Wanjiku said.
In the first set, the Titans were right with the Falcons throughout. But Kentlake went on win eight consecutive points to really help put the set away, winning 25-10 over Todd Beamer.
“We tell each other to not let up. We remind each other, communicate and keep the energy,” Wanjiku said.
But the Titans were able to rally. In set two, the two sides played a tightly contested set once more, being tied at 16-16 late in the set. This time, Todd Beamer got out to a 22-18 lead and was able to even the match at 1-1, winning their first set 25-20.
Set three was more of the same for the Titans after being tied 11-11. Todd Beamer found a way to separate themselves from the Falcons with a 19-15 lead. The end of set three had Todd Beamer’s largest differential with a 25-18 win.
Todd Beamer had to win the closest set of the night. Once again, the two teams were deadlocked at 16-16, even getting to 22-22. But again, the Titans found a way to score points late. Todd Beamer closed out the fourth and final set, 25-22.
The Titans played a lot of close points, and pressure filled points, something they haven’t really had to do all season. But in the postseason they certainly will.
“We’re not (prepared for those moments). We’re a super young team. We’re just now getting into the mentality now that we’re winners,” said Burton. “But we’re making that change. Certain points we have big deficits and we’re starting to overcome those deficits.”
There wasn’t much turnover from 2022 to this season, with just one senior leaving coming into this season. The Titans are hungry for some postseason action: “We only have two seniors this year that rotate in the same position. The growth that we have and the mindset we have is ‘It’s not postseason, but preseason for next season,’” said Burton.
The Titans have two regular season games and one non-league game before getting ready for the district tournament. Todd Beamer plays host to Auburn Mountainview and Auburn, both of which are at the bottom of the standings.
