Baldwin picks up the pace

Baldwin’s cranked the tempo on the girls volleyball court under first-year coach Louis Sepulveda, who inherited a roster with a bunch of key returning players from last year’s Nassau Class AA runner-up squad.

“We’ve got a good group of girls who are quality athletes,” Sepulveda said. “I’ve got them playing at a faster tempo than what they’re used to, but they’ve embraced the system and work hard at it.”

The Lady Bruins, who also reached the county finals in 2012, improved to 7-1 in Conference AA-I with a come-from-behind, five-set victory at Plainview-JFK on Oct. 9. Senior Bridgette Walsh had 20 kills, 14 digs and three aces, and junior Allie Ahearne added 11 kills, 10 digs and three aces to lead the way in the 25-15, 24-26, 20-25, 25-15, 25-22 win.

“We started off strong despite missing a couple of starters, but Plainview is scrappy and kept everything in play,” Sepulveda said. “We tweaked the lineup a little bit and pulled it out.”

Ahearne switched sides after Baldwin fell in the third set and exploded with seven kills in the fourth set. Junior Senna Brown came off the bench to provide a defensive spark, and senior setter Keira Knauer had the offense running smoothly.

“Our passing has been really strong,” said Sepulveda, who coached the past three seasons at Island Trees and also coaches club volleyball. “Having a setter with Keira’s ability and experience is a tremendous asset.”

Knauer, a four-year member of the varsity, earned All-Class honors a year ago. “Keira gets to every ball no matter where it is,” Sepulveda said. “She defends well, she passes well and she serves well.”

Walsh receives a large dose of Knauer’s passes and often turns them into points. The All-County outside hitter has led the Lady Bruins in kills in all eight matches. “She’s such a sparkplug,” Sepulveda said of Walsh. “She can jump out of the gym and hits with power. She’s outstanding in the front row and back row. She does it all.”

Ahearne and junior Taylor Krucher also do damage from the outside. The coach said Ahearne is the most versatile player on the roster and also competes for a top club team. “We can count on Allie wherever she plays on the court,” he said. Krucher has a smooth hitting technique and delivers with power.

Senior Erica Ackerman, an All-Class selection in 2013, is the backbone of the defense at libero. She leads the team in digs and ranks among the top three in serving. “She’s a great passer and communicator,” Sepulveda said.

In the middle, varsity newcomers Isabella Lawrence and Kemi Green are learning on the fly. Lawrence, a sophomore, stands 6-feet, and Green, a freshman, can soar over the net thanks to an impressive vertical.

Baldwin’s lone defeat came at the hands of 14-time defending county champion Massapequa. The teams meet again Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. “We’ll be better prepared even though we’re going to their gym,” Sepulveda said.