White Team

18 – 25, 25 – 16, 10 – 15

Last night, the White team had their own first full match.  The two teams fought back and forth with Southfield Christian holding a one point lead after one full rotation.  The trend continued but with the score tied at 18, Southfield Christian found a formula to score and served the final six points of the set, winning 25 – 18.  In the second set, Whitmore Lake said we can do that too, and Hailey Bowers served the first 15 points of the set for a commanding lead.  Southfield Christian tried to climb back into the set with two short lived serving runs, but as the set began, Bowers put an end to the Eagles serving the final two  points to take the set at 25 – 16.  In the deciding third set, Southfield Christian jumped out to a 11 – 5 lead in the 15 point third set, but behind the serving of Claire Birely the Trojans fought back to within two at 9 – 11, buts that’s all they could do before the Southfield Christian closed the final set at 15 – 10.  Despite the loss, Whitmore Lake is showing vast improvements, displayed by Grace Hyland’s strong serving and more volleying with Harper Dewar, Emma Leonard, Sarah Brown, Kylie Burianek, Birely and Bowers highlighting that skill.  The White team’s record now stands at 1 – 2 (1 – 2 MIAC).

 Red Team

25 – 21, 25 – 21, 11 – 15

In the second match of the evening, it looked like Whitmore Lake didn’t show up to play, letting Southfield Christian pull away early in the first set with a big 13 – 4 lead.  When Lanie Short got the serving line the Trojans finally started to close the gap with Short adding four points from her serve, then three more by Isla Sterzik.  Another three by Keirra Leonard put Whitmore Lake on top with a score of 17 – 16.  Southfield reclaimed the lead on their next possession.  Now the set was in the hands of Ally St. Charles’ serve and just like another day at the office, she served the final five points to complete the comeback with the Trojans winning the opening set 25 – 21.  In the second set, there were no long possessions with both teams struggling to serve more than two times in a row.  That is until Leonard got to the serving line her second time of the set.  With the score at 18 – 20, Leonard served the next five points and a side out later, Whitmore Lake finished the second set, the same as the first with an identical 25 – 21 score.  In the third set, Southfield Christian put up seven points before Whitmore Lake could get on the board, but Brooklyn Blumenstiel brought the Trojans right back serving up seven of her own points, six of them aces.  Whitmore Lake held an 11 – 10 lead, but Southfield Christian served four in a row to now go home empty handed winning the final set 15 – 11.  The red team remains undefeated with a 3 – 0 (3 – 0 MIAC) record.

Black Team

16 – 25, 25 – 5, 3 – 15

Last night, Whitmore Lake would have needed stilts to match up with the height of Southfield Christian but the smaller Trojan squad was ready to put up a fight against the giants from Southfield.  The eagles clearly had an advantage at the net, but Whitmore Lake kept the ball away from the front line and the teams battled and after one full rotation, Southfield Christian had a small lead at 15 – 12.  Whitmore Lake couldn’t find a way to get a stop then add extra points off their serve to close the gap and finally ran out of time trying with the Eagles taking the first set 16 – 25.  In the second set, Whitmore Lake pulled out the hammer and took care of business, scoring six in a row off Mila Proimos’ serve, then another six from Phoenni Lou’s serve, followed by five from Oscar Valentine and four by Channing Cook.  With just one full rotation, the set was over with Whitmore Lake dominating the eagles 25 – 5 in the second set, never letting Southfield Christian earn a point off their own serve.  As last week, Whitmore Lake would need to win the final set to win the match.  If the coin toss was a omen, things were looking good for the Trojans, but it wasn’t to be.  Whitmore Lake had trouble handling Southfield Christian’s serve and the Eagles took an opening six point lead off four aces before the Trojans could get their second serve.  Unfortunately, Southfield Christian treated the Trojans like Whitmore Lake treated the Eagles in the second set and quickly took the final set 15 – 3.  Whitmore Lake did some nice things during the match highlighted by a perfect pass from Josie Marcum to Phoenni Lou who set the ball to Oscar Valentine who then climbed up on her trash can and hammered the ball to the other side for a kill.  The loss drops the girls record to 2 – 1 (2 – 1 MIAC).  Whitmore Lake will regroup and bring the energy on Thursday when they host Roeper.