Looking up

Volleyball players rely on height to block shots, but that’s a tall order for the CAPA girls’ team.

The squad’s two tallest players are 5-foot-6 and the rest of the athletes are, well, 5-foot-nothing.

But somehow, some way, this underdog, undersized team has fought its way to an 8-2 record.

"When it comes to any sport, everybody roots for the underdog," said junior setter Alexis Cohen. "[Our lack of size] makes us work harder."

Junior defensive specialist Kimberly Paynter noted that a compact build does have some advantages.

"It’s easier to get to the ground because we are so small," she said.

With four juniors and three freshmen in the starting lineup, the Pegasus players could still hit a growth spurt. But since that probably won’t happen this season, CAPA coach Rick Shields is using a more defensive strategy to counter the taller opposition.

The system has helped CAPA to some decisive victories, like a recent 2-0 win over Kensington in which the game scores were 25-4 and 25-2.

The Pegasus will likely face a greater challenge in Masterman, its opponent in the upcoming Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association District XII Public League playoffs. The postseason setup will have a much different look this season, as Philadelphia teams also will be competing for a shot at the state title.

CAPA and Masterman are both AA teams — a classification that is based on enrollment. The top AA and AAA squads will advance to the state championship tournament.

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"I like the idea of the kids having a chance of going to states," Shields said.

When CAPA met Masterman in Tuesday’s regular-season meeting, the game didn’t count for much in the standings.

But it was meaningful to the Pegasus, who entered the contest looking to avenge last year’s loss in the Public League championship game.

Rival Masterman, which boasts a roster of year-round club players, is regularly considered the favorite on the girls’ volleyball circuit.

"I think Masterman is a little more competition for us, but we like competition," said sophomore Sotheary "Terry" Ngem, of Fifth and Dickinson streets.

In the end, Masterman defeated CAPA, 3-1.

No matter what the outcome of their games, the CAPA players enjoy harmony on the court.

And, sometimes, a solo or two.

Junior outside hitter Neddicka Waterman, a returning First Team All-Public selection and vocal major, entertains her teammates by singing Barbie Girl during games.

Her non-athletic performances seem to tick off the opposition.

"They get upset about it," Waterman said. "We do the best we can to win. If we have to distract an opponent with singing to win, then that’s what we’ll do."

But the athlete doesn’t have to rely on unorthodox methods. Shields describes Waterman as arguably one of the best players in the league. CAPA also has one of the league’s more talented setters in Cohen, who said the strong team chemistry is a big reason behind this year’s success.

"We have a really amazing relationship, which is one of the things that makes our team special," she said. "We do some silly antics and have so much unity."

The players might be tight-knit, but they gladly make room for newcomers, like sophomore outside hitter Ali Shepherd, who had five kills in CAPA’s loss to Central. Shields said Shepherd is picking up the game quickly.

Defensive specialist Danielle Fontaine — the team’s lone senior — adds experience as a returning Second Team All-Public selection, while junior middle hitters Carolyn Chrissy and Nicole Reilly are considered the Pegasus’ best passers.

The athletes are open to training tips from their counterparts on the defending Public League champion boys’ volleyball team. Many school lunch hours are spent in the makeshift gym playing pickup volleyball games.

Ngem, one of the managers of the boys’ team last spring, doesn’t mind turning to the guys for advice.

"They’re always giving us pointers," she said. "I am always willing to learn.

"[Player] Marshall Smith shows us how to get the ball down and simple stuff that will help us improve our games."

Since the small but strong team is always looking for a boost, how about playing an entire game on stilts?

"It would be fun," Waterman said. "I would love to do that."

It’s a safe bet that’s against the rules, so the underdogs will keep relying on heart and hard work.

It’s helped them climb pretty high so far.