Pleasant Grove pulled out a four-set victory over Salem Hills on Tuesday, but let’s be real, it was a messy one: 25-11, 19-25, 25-17, 25-20. This was far from their cleanest match, a real grind, definitely one of their less efficient performances this season. But for a team with a 10-1 record, an “ugly win” like this might just be the most important one they’ve had yet.
The “Forget About It” That Saved the Game
Things started out status quo in the first set, with Pleasant Grove cruising to an early 1-0 lead in the match. Then came the second set. Ugh. Unforced errors and, perhaps, a real lack of focus allowed Salem Hills to gain confidence and momentum. Before you knew it, the match was knotted up at one set a piece. You hate to see a dominant team get frazzled like that, right? After that shaky set, Pleasant Grove head coach Isa Takahashi had a simple, direct message for his team: “forget about it.” He knew his squad had gotten “frazzled,” experiencing “anxious, nervousness and frustration.” But that wasn’t them, he told them. His message was heard loud and clear because from the third set onward, Pleasant Grove had an answer for everything Salem Hills threw their way. Takahashi emphasized the need to “learn through those mistakes,” to “build each other up, build relationships and keep learning with each other.” That’s the kind of leadership that turns a potential collapse into a teaching moment.
Why a Messy Win Is Actually the Scariest Thing
Facing adversity is something this Pleasant Grove squad hasn’t really experienced much this season, not with a sterling 10-1 record. They’re definitely in a prime spot right now. But Takahashi knows that pushing through and winning matches even when they’re not playing their best will only benefit the team later in the season. He straight up said, “We’re going to have to win ugly sometimes and I think that’s part of being a championship program or a high-level program.” Can a team figure it out in those tough moments? He thought they did a good job Tuesday, noticing their huddles got better and they started talking a little more. You know what that tells me? They’re learning to adapt on the fly, and that’s a seriously dangerous trait for any team.
The High IQ Behind Pleasant Grove’s Dominance
Takahashi believes the main key to his team’s dominant run this season comes down to their decision-making. He saw some good decisions against Salem Hills, sure, but he knows this team can definitely take it up a notch or two higher. He’s on record saying, “I think decision-making has been the key to our success so far this year. Knowing what the play looks like because I think if you’re guessing, it’s hard to be super consistent in a way.” For Takahashi, it’s about “knowing how to get to a ball or what type of ball is coming at me so I can react earlier.” That’s high volleyball IQ, plain and simple. They’re making better decisions consistently, and that’s exactly what you want to see from a championship contender.
This wasn’t a pretty victory, but for a 10-1 team, it might be the most important one yet. Takahashi’s crew learned how to fight through the mess, how to listen, and how to start building those championship habits. They’re still learning, still got levels to hit with their decision-making, but this team just showed they can win even when they’re not perfect. Watch out, league.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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