Maybe the DeKalb volleyball team just needed the extra incentive of the playoffs, or maybe it finally is heeding its coach’s words.

Whatever the reason, first-year coach Ben Fisher finally saw the effort and focus he wanted to see all season from his players, who now are preparing to play Boylan tonight in a Class 4A Jacobs Sectional semifinal.

“We have tended to be the type of team throughout the season that has played point for point,” Fisher said. “We’ve just focused on simple execution and those kind of things. I think that focusing on the matches and making them more than just a normal volleyball match kind of helps us.”