As Mission Bay prepares for a road game versus Scripps Ranch High this week, their astonishing season continues with a record of 22-6 that includes two straight wins in league play. The team recently hosted the 19th annual Buccaneer Bash tournament on Sept. 15-16 consisting of 21 teams that saw the Bucs upset some higher-ranked teams on their way to an impressive second-place finish overall.
Among the players leading the way are senior captains Annika Wester, Ayla McCay, and Justyne Higman. Wester is leading the team in kills and kills-per-set along with being second in total blocks and serving aces.
McCay is leading the team in serving aces and assists and is second in digs. Higman is leading the team in digs, digs-per-set and receptions, respectively.
Senior twins Maya and Marissa Toliver are also having a huge impact providing significant point-scoring with Maya leading the team with 57 blocks, including 20 solo blocks, and Marissa carrying the offensive load of receiving the most sets and covering the most court on defense.
Freshman Audie Caban is a player to at 6 feet 3 inches tall and contributing offensively as well as in the back row. In addition, the Bucs have many versatile and hard-working players, providing depth in many positions.
“This creates competitive practices and is paying off with our success on the court this season,” said head coach Barbara Birnbaum.
Mission Bay moved up into a stronger league this year as a result of winning league last season, but have shown they are up to the challenge highlighted by their second league game against Patrick Henry on Sept. 21 where they showed grit and resilience by winning the last two sets with the fifth set ending 17-15.
“League play will be challenging, but we will prepare well for playoffs in late October,” Birnbaum added.
Mission Bay will end the regular season with three straight home games starting with the Dig Pink Event versus Scripps Ranch on Thursday, Oct. 12, senior night against Coronado on Tuesday, Oct. 17, and then Thursday, Oct. 19 versus Christian. The Bucs already matched their entire win total from last season with eight games still remaining.
