The Wildcat varsity volleyball team went 2-4 in last week’s matches, bringing their overall record to 15-8-2. The girls traveled to Flushing on Sept. 9 to play North Branch, Clarkston and Flushing in a ‘quad? match-up.
In their first game against North Branch, the girls fell 21-25.
‘The girls started out strong and aggressive, and we went point for point throughout the game until the end when we lost momentum,? said Coach LaToria Thomas. ‘We made some unforced errors toward the end when it mattered, ultimately leading North Branch to take the first set.?
Unlike the match, the girls started out slow in the beginning, but dug themselves out of the hole they were in, but weren’t able to keep the pressure on long enough to get the win.?
‘The girls gave a lot of effort, but North Branch kept the pressure on us, and we weren’t able to run an effective offense like we would’ve hoped. Our biggest struggle this season is consistency,? explained Thomas. ‘We have all the tools we need to be successful as a team, but we’re still trying to find a level of consistency.?
Top scores of the match: Lisa Savich- six kills, Marie Matheis- five kills, Nicole Elzerman- five kills and Hailey Hartwick had 14 digs.
With two losses already on the day, the girls were hoping for a different result in their match-up against Clarkston. The girls started out strong with tough serving to bring a 8-2 lead.
‘We bring out the intensity and momentum when we play Clarkston,? Thomas noted.
While the Wildcats stayed aggressive throughout the match, the Wolves were able to close the gap.
‘This was a tough loss for us as a team. We struggled with consistency this game, and we weren’t able to run an offense this game,? Thomas said. ‘In the first game we hit well, and in this game our hitting percentage was negative as a team. Clarkston played consistently with very few errors, and we had an off game. It happens, and we learn from it as a team.?
Against Clarkston there were no top scorers, but Wysocki, Savich, Matheis, and Elzerman all had 3 kills each and Hartwick had 10 digs.
While they were down, the Lady Cats proved they weren’t out. The girls were able to win two against Flushing with a 25-14 score in their first match and a 25-19 win in the second match.
They came out strong serving tough, and gaining a nice lead early,? Thomas said. ‘They worked together as a team, and played more consistently.?
Consistency is the key to their success, according to Thomas
‘Once the girls find a level of consistency, they will be unstoppable. We have so much talent and heart, and we’re a well balanced team, and we learn from every game good or bad,? she added. ‘At the end of the day every time they step on the court the opponent doesn’t matter, it’s an opportunity for them to better themselves individually and as a team, and I think we are improving and taking steps in the right direction.?
Top scorers of the match included freshman Paige Briggs who had four kills and four aces, along with Wysocki and Savich who both had five kills, and Elzerman and Matheis each had four kills.
The girls? next match will be tonight (Sept. 16) when they travel to Bloomfield. The match will begin at 7 p.m.