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After trailing 13-9 in the first game Tuesday, the Berkeley Yellowjackets women’s volleyball team scored 14 unanswered points on their way to a three-game victory over the Alameda Hornets. 

The ’Jackets, who picked up their eleventh victory against four losses, were led by middle blockers Desiree Guilliard-Young and Vanessa Williams, who combined for 15 kills and 6 blocks in the team’s 15-13, 15-3, 15-7 victory. 

The Hornets seemed to have control throughout the first game, scoring on the first possession and advancing their lead to 4-2, and again to 7-3 before Berkeley coach Justin Caraway decided to call a timeout and talk to his team. 

“I just told them to relax,” Caraway said after the game, “I told them that if we just settled down and played our game, this team wouldn’t be able to beat us.” 

Apparently he was right. After a service error gave Berkeley the possession, junior Danielle Larue served for four straight points, with Guilliard-Young recording a block and a kill to tie the game at 7-7. 

But Alameda answered back by scoring the next four points in their next three possessions and again found themselves with a comfortable lead over the ‘Jackets. 

The ’Jackets scored in their next two possessions on aces by junior Rachel Phillips and sophomore Nadia Qabazard, but Alameda came back with two points of their own, bringing them as close to victory as they’d be throughout the night at 13-9. 

The ’Jackets scored the next five points, with Guilliard-Young dominating the middle with back-to-back stuffs and a kill before Alameda took a timeout. 

It proved to be too little too late, though, as directly after the stoppage Guilliard-Young recorded yet another block to put the game away, 15-13. 

Berkeley’s momentum carried them to a quick lead in the second game as Larue served for another eight points, including two aces. 

“Losing that first game took a lot out of them emotionally,” said Caraway, “with all our mistakes and their leading the whole way, they felt like that was their best chance to get one from us.” 

Berkeley kept putting points on the board in the second game with Guilliard-Young serving for four points and junior Brittany Mabry serving for three for a 15-3 final. 

In what would prove to be the final game, Berkeley started flat again, giving up four points in Alameda’s first possession. They made up for it by scoring five points on Guilliard-Young’s service, and another four points on the service of sophomore Mollie Wolf.  

The score was 9-5 and scoring went back and forth as Alameda climbed within three at 10-7. Caraway called another timeout, which was evidently an effective strategy as his ’Jackets didn’t stumble for the rest of the way. They held the Hornets at seven points as Wolf served for two and Qabazard served for three to end the match. 

Berkeley plays at Hercules at 6 p.m. tonight.