“Keeping the ball alive was the secret for Bainbridge who scored a win against Port Townsend Thursday night.It marked the second victory for the Spartans, who defeated Peninsula Wednesday.I think Bainbridge was a little more nervous today, said coach Julie Miller. Unlike Peninsula, Port Townsend is in our league and the crowd tonight was much bigger.Long rallies proved crucial in the game that ended 15-8, 15-12, 15-2.Bainbridge’s opening serves in the first game portended the final outcome as senior Michelle Purdom sent two unreturned serves into the Port Townsend ranks.The second game, Port Townsend’s closest, started sluggish, the score reaching 1-4 for the visitors before Bainbridge rallied. The third game opened with a Spartan ace. Their spirits apparently dampened by the first two games, Port Townsend fell quickly in the third.Junior Sarah Frazee and sophomore Kristina Purdom led the charge with eight kills each, while junior Stephanie Hope scored five aces.A solid backup, junior Catie Kruse provided 17 assists. Catie’s our brand-new setter, Miller said. And she’s still learning the ropes.Miller said the team is still gelling.They’re still getting to know each other, she said. But we did well with digging and winning long rallies which deflated the other team.The JV and C teams also prevailed against Port Townsend.All three teams, C coach Susanna Pine said, are learning to communicate and coming out of their shells, and the playing was more aggressive in the games than it had been in practice.They’re pretty young players, she said, and self confidence sometimes gets in the way of them really using their skills. Last night, they decided to come on out and use them.The spikers’ next game is this Tuesday at Olympic. “