Jeff Moeller, sports correspondent

At the start of postseason, Richmond Hill head girls' volleyball coach Danielle Ennis couldn’t have been happier.

Ennis watched her eighth-seeded team quickly dispatch 25th-seed Carrollton, 3-0, in their opening Class 7A Region 1 playoff game Oct. 17. With the win, Richmond Hill will host ninth-seeded Denmark on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m.

“This was the best overall volleyball we’ve played all season,” said Ennis. “The girls came out focused, communicated well, and did a great job executing our game plan from start to finish. We’ve been working hard to become more consistent, and we saw that effort come together on the court.

“All the girls really stepped up in the match. We worked as one unit which is why we were so successful.”

It also was a matter of fortifying an already tight bond among themselves.

“Having Kailah King back from injury was a big boost for us, especially at the net with her blocking presence,” added Ennis. “The girls trusted each other, played with confidence, and delivered when it mattered. I’m proud of the way they competed as a team, and this is the level of volleyball we know we’re capable of playing. Now, the challenge is to build on this performance and make it our standard moving forward.”

Ennis cited the play of freshman Ella Fordham and seniors Sydney Carmichael and Alexa Anderson for their play.

Fordham has quickly made the adjustment from the JV team.

“When we asked her to step up and join the varsity team a couple of weeks ago, she embraced the challenge and has continued to grow with every match,’ said Ennis. “Her confidence is building, and we’re seeing her become more comfortable trusting her abilities and making plays in big moments. Her performance against Carrollton was another example of how much progress she’s making. It’s exciting to see a young player step into that role, work hard, and continue to develop into someone our team can count on.”

And Ennis was again impressed with Carmichael’s consistent play.

“Against Carrollton, she gave us the consistency we needed and stepped up when her team needed her,” said Ennis. “I’m proud of the way she continues to put the team first, work hard, and make the most of every opportunity. She’s a great example of what it means to be a team player and a leader.”

Like Carmichael, Anderson has been a steady force.

“Alexa Anderson has been an incredible presence on the defensive end for us,” said Ennis. “She is an outstanding libero who consistently puts herself in position to make tough plays, digging hard-driven balls that many players would struggle to handle. Alexa is a vital piece of our lineup, and her defensive instincts, determination, and willingness to go after every ball make her an invaluable part of our team.

Anderson also sees her game and her team on an ascent.

“I think I’m playing really well,” said Anderson. “I’ve definitely improved throughout the season, and our last game definitely showed it. Our team has definitely hit its peak with how we have been playing, especially how we played our last game. It showed how strong we have become as a team.”

Ennis knows her 29-9 team will need to bring the same level of intensity against 22-9 Denmark from Class 7A Region 6.

This match will present a different kind of challenge because we expect the teams to be more evenly matched,” said Ennis. “In these types of matches, it often comes down to which team is more consistent, communicates under pressure, and wins the important points.

If the Wildcats bring the same level of overall effort and play like they did against Carrollton, Ennis is confident her club can advance to the next round.

“We can’t afford to let our level of play drop or become complacent after a strong performance against Carrollton,” stressed Ennis. “We have to bring the same focus, energy, and execution, while continuing to trust each other and play with confidence. We’ve shown what we’re capable of, but now we have to prove we can sustain that level of play when the competition is closer. Every point matters, and we have to be prepared to fight for every one of them.”