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Sports

Senior Leads Panthers to Win in Final Game

The Clara Barton girls volleyball team won their final game, their second victory of the year.

After the final point of the Clara Barton High School volleyball team's match against Bedford Academy Monday evening, senior Chloe Bedeau was all smiles. 

"It felt good to win in our last game," said Bedeau, who has played for the Panthers for four years. "I am a bit sad but this team is in great hands."

. Their 2-0 victory (25-19, 25-19) over Bedford Academy was only their second of the year.

The Panthers, who appeared focused from the opening serve, won the first game of the match behind a strong performance from junior Taliah Moore.

Moore recorded five straight service points after her team fell behind ten to nine.  Later the junior had her second spike of the game to give Barton a 23-18 lead before recording the final two service points of the game.

In the second game, Moore shined again as she recorded nine consecutive service points to give Barton an early ten to three advantage as they held on for the win.

Both Bedeau and Moore were impressive for the entire match, moving for every loose ball and communicating well with their teammates.  Bedeau's performance and dedication to her team in her final game as a Panther earned her the game ball after the match from head coach Michael Godelman.

"It felt so good to get the game ball," Bedeau said. "I am moving right now so I have to get a nice case for it."

After the match Bedeau's teammates embraced and congratulated her on a job well done.  However, the biggest praises came from the man who coached her during her four years at Barton. 

"Chloe is one of the classiest kids I have ever seen," said Godelman. "She is a team leader all around.  Her everyday approach to being at practice and being on time was great.  She was always there and that is what a coach would want out of every kid."

Godelman gathered all of his players together following the match and congratulated his team on playing their best game of the season. While he admitted the season was tough, Godelman said he looks back on it fondly.

"I had a great time coaching," said the head coach. "Our record doesn't indicate who these girls are."

The girls volleyball team has a bright future according to Bedeau. She described the season as "rough" due to the amount of young inexperienced players on the team, but said she believes better days are coming. 

"This season reminds me of my freshman season when we made the playoffs," said Bedeau.  "Like that year our rookies have grown up a lot and learned to hustle." 

The senior, who missed games due to illness earlier this season, hopes that the leadership she provided can carry over to next season.

"I was there for the team even if I couldn't make all the plays or come to all the games," said Bedeau. "With leaders like Taliah and some of the younger players, we are in good hands for sure."

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