The drama accompanying a conference game between two top teams can cause players to be nervous and let anxiety affect their play.
Minneapolis Southwest’s Mady Pashibin must have been oblivious to her surroundings.
The senior outside hitter stayed in control of her emotions and finished with 13 kills and five digs, helping the Lakers capture their ninth consecutive Minneapolis City Conference title with a 3-1 victory over Minneapolis Washburn on the Millers’ home court Thursday.
“Mady brings a lot of calm leadership to our team,” Southwest coach Joanna Lyons said. “I think the team really looks to her for stability.”
Pashibin said her calm demeanor on the floor comes from an intense focus on the flow of the game.
“I think about staying relaxed, and not think about the last point,” Pashibin said. “I just focus on getting the next point.”
The calm attitude does not apply to just Pashibin, who has committed to play next season at St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas. It’s part of the Lakers’ overall team philosophy that puts a premium on staying relaxed during games, sophomore middle hitter April Houston said.
“The looser we play and the more relaxed we play, it really works for us,” Houston said. “Our team really clicks when we do that.”
Houston, who had nine kills and five blocks in the match, said Pashibin can be comical and entertaining off the court, which would betray her cool demeanor during games.
“She’s really funny and silly off the court,” Houston said. “But when it’s game time, she turns it on and gets very competitive.
Minneapolis Southwest sophomore middle blocker April Houston with a kill shot against rival Washburn. Photo by Brian W Nelson - Click to view larger
First Report
Senior outside hitter Mady Pashibin had a game-high 13 kills, helping Minneapolis Southwest capture the Minneapolis City Conference title with a 25-22, 26-24, 19-25, 25-18 victory over Minneapolis Washburn on Thursday at Washburn High School.
Sophomore middle hitter April Houston had nine kills and five blocks for the Lakers (13-6, 6-0), who won their ninth consecutive league championship.
The Lakers travel to Lakeville South (18-7), ranked No. 5 in the Minnesota Volleyball Coaches Association’s Class 3A poll, on Monday while the Millers (17-6) take on Minneapolis South in the regular-season finale Wednesday.
