White Team

25 – 12, 25 – 11, 15 – 12

.  The White team opened up a three match night for the Trojans last night.  In the first set, it was a serving match with very little volleying taking place.  After Emma Leonard finished her turn at the serving line with seven in a row, Whitmore Lake had a commanding lead, 10 – 3.  After that, it was who could get the ball over the net in bounds.  That was in the Trojans favor too with Whitmore Lake getting two over for every one of the Griffins.  Finally, Hailey Bowers served the final five to win the set at 25 – 12.  In the second set, Leonard got the ball flying again hitting six in a row this time for a 9 – 1 Trojan lead.  Another serving battle ensued for the next few rotations.  With the score at 13 – 7, Sarah Brown stepped to the serving line and stopped toying around with the Gryphons.  Brown served nine in a row, nearly finishing the set for Whitmore Lake with Whitmore Lake on top, 23 – 7.  Two rotations later the set was over with another Trojan win.  In the third set both teams realized they were playing volleyball, not servingball and the volleying began with lots of exciting volleys.  This set was much closer, with Greenhills usually holding a one or two point lead.  With the set nearing the end, Whitmore Lake was able to tie it up at 12, then Bowers, with her serving prowess, came to the rescue and served the last three points to send Greenhills home winless.  Kylie Burianek had one of her best serving nights and Grace Hyland was also solid from the line.  The win moves the White team’s record to .500, 4 – 4 (3 – 4 MIAC).  The White team is off until next Tuesday when they take on Greenhills for their second match against the Gryphons in a row on the Trojan’s court.

Red Team

25 – 10, 26 – 24, 9 – 15

In the first set last night, Greenhills was no match for Whitmore Lake’s red team.  After a complete rotation of many missed serves from both teams, Brooklyn Blumenstiel took control of the set, dropping in 10 in a row, tripling up the Gryphons score at 21 – 7.  From there it didn’t take long for Whitmore Lake to complete the set at 25 – 10.  In the second set, Greenhills proved to be a little more formidable.  After Blumenstiel served the first six points, Greenhills scored four.  After one full rotation, the set was tied at 14.  The teams began trading side outs for several rotations.  Greenhills sneaked out a small lead late in the set at 22 – 20.  Lanie Short served the Trojans to the front, taking Whitmore Lake to the penultimate point.  Greenhills still had life and tied the set at 24, putting the set into overtime.  After the side out, Keirra Leonard served the final point for the needed two point margin to win the second set 26 – 24.  In the third set, it was again close much of the way, with Greenhills holding a one point lead at 10 – 9.  This time it was the Gryphons turn to go on a serving spree.  Greenhills served out the set for a 15 – 9 win.  Emma Harrison had a good night of serving and Blumenstiel had some nice spikes during the match.  Another win makes the Red’s team record 7 – 1 (6 – 1 MIAC).  The Red team will take a break from matches until next Tuesday when they face off against Hope Christian again in another home match.

Black Team

25 – 19, 25 – 11, 15 – 7

Last night, Whitmore Lake’s Black Team played the first of three matches against Greenhills.  In the first set, Whitmore Lake set out to slay the Gryphons and aside from their serving, Whitmore Lake was playing one of their best sets on the season with excellent communication and three hit attacking.  Despite the great play, the scoreboard didn’t agree.  After three rotations, Whitmore Lake was down 5 – 8.  Finally, Oscar Valentine set fire to the Trojan dumpster and served Whitmore Lake to the lead.  Not even a time out by the visitors could cool off the Sesame Street resident as Valentine served eight in a row for a 14 – 8 lead.  Greenhills was never able to recover from the momentum shift before Phoenni Lou Wilson served Whitmore Lake to game point at 24 – 19.  A side out later gave Whitmore Lake the first set win, 25 – 19.  In the second set, Greenhills couldn’t douse the Trojans as they remained on fire from the serving line.  Whitmore Lake jumped out to a 15 – 4 lead, fueled by eight aces coming off serves from Mila Proimos, Channing Cook and Wison.  After Proimos served her second time, Whitmore Lake was again at game point, and a side out finished the set at 25 – 11.  Whitmore Lake continued to apply the heat in the third set and because Whitmore Lake was playing so well, the set was going to finish a little quicker than the coach wanted.  Because of this, some intentional misses at the serving line were called in to give some Trojan players a little more playing time and a chance for everyone to serve.  Even with the planned miscues, Whitmore Lake still dominated the Gryphons.  Whitmore Lake got out their brooms, closing out the night with a 15 – 7 win for another three set sweep.  Maria Hentnick had her best night of serving dropping in several aces.  The setting from Proimos, Wilson and Cook was outstanding and lead to many powerful hits by Hailey Sheedy, Josie Marcum, Valentine and Primos, not to mention the awakening of the MONSTER in the MIDDLE as Grace Bennardi came alive at the net, keeping the Gryphons off balance with her crushing hits and strategically placed tips including an amazing tip for a kill off an valiant diving save from Willson by the left antennae.  The girls were also showing their improvement in volleyball IQ, making smart decisions on when to attack and when to play it safe and pass or set the ball over the net.  The victory puts another notch in the win column for the Black team, improving their record to 5 – 1 (4 – 1 MIAC).  The Black team will play again on Wednesday when they host Brighton St. Pats at 5:45 at the LCA gym.