9/22/22 Whitmore Lake vs. St. Pat’s

8^th Grade

23 – 25, 25 – 13, 25 – 18

Last night, Whitmore Lake hosted St. Pat’s out of Brighton trying to get back into the win column.  In the first set, the score went back and forth for a while, then St. Pat’s was able to stay on top by a couple before pulling out in front with a 13 – 8 lead.  Not to worry though because Sophia Chemotti served the Trojans back within one at 12 – 13.  St. Pat’s opened up the gap again, but off the Josie Marcum serve Whitmore Lake was finally able to get back on top at 20 – 19.  After two more rotations, it looked like Whitmore Lake was going to be able to finish the set off, but their serve failed and the ball went back into the hands of the Shamrocks.  Whitmore Lake got one more stop at set point, but again the Trojan serve failed and the visitors claimed the first set, 25 – 23.  To take the second set, Whitmore Lake would need to improve their serving and the girls set out to do that.  The second set opened with a bang of a super long volley with both teams making incredible saves, but in the end the Trojans came out victorious for the point, foreshadowing things to come.  After two rotations, Phynni Lou had the Trojans on top 5 – 1, then after a side out, Marilyne Dongmo added three more and the Trojans were rolling at 9 – 2.  Next it was Mila Proimos’ turn to add three in row for Whitmore Lake to lead 14 – 5.  Whitmore Lake continued to string points together when Aliyah Baker finally got her serve going for four in a row doubling up the Shamrock’s points at 20 – 10.  Dongmo served out the set for a 25 – 13 win making the match even at one set apiece.  The match would come down to the deciding third set.  The teams fought back and forth with great volleys but the Trojans more times than not came out on top, holding an early 10 – 5 lead.  St. Pat’s closed the gap to two, but after the Izzy Bishop and Proimos serves, the Trojans pulled away again at 16 – 9.  From there the Trojan serve started to falter again, but an outstanding defensive effort kept Whitmore Lake alive and their offense started to fire up with some great hits and tips at the net.  After a few more rotations, Whitmore Lake finished the set at 25 – 18 taking two out of three to win the match.   After Whitmore Lake got their serve going, they played really well and showed a big improvement over Tuesday.  The girls were communicating much better and did a great job of passing the ball to the setters and who set the ball up for Trojan attacks.  Whitmore Lake played with a libero for the first time this year with Baker returning to her position from last year making numerous perfect passes to the setters and had two excellent back row hits.  Proimos, one of the shortest girls on the team, is really improving her play at the net and had several good tips leading to Trojan points.  Lindsay Culp also had some tips and Bailey Hill had several saves to keep those long volleys going.  Hailey Valentine had a solid night playing in the front row and pinch serving when Baker was required to rotate out, while Phynni Lou is really beginning to take control of the offense making great sets to the Trojan hitters.  The win improves Whitmore Lake’s record to 2 – 3 (0 – 2 MIAC.  The Trojans will be back on the court on Monday playing at the LCA gym against league foe Plymouth Christian.