Good to the last dig

Plymouth volleyball captains heading into homestretch of successful prep careers

  Wouldn't it be cool if sometime in the next week or so, in the final game of the season for the Plymouth volleyball team, Erin O'Connor bumps a pass to Katie Salo, who sets a perfect ball for Kelly Smoltz, who hammers a gym-shaking kill down on the other side of the net?

  What a perfect memory that would be for the trio of Wildcat volleyball captains as the curtain comes down on their illustrious careers.

  Salo, Smoltz and O'Connor have certainly left their mark on the Plymouth program, especially this season when they've doubled as key players/captains on the court and off.

  Salo is one of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association's most consistent setters and is one of the school's all-time assist leaders.

  Smoltz is a reliable front-row contributor who can also make plays in the back.

  O'Connor is a solid defensive specialist who saved countless points this season with her all-out effort.

  "We lost a lot of seniors from last year's team, so I didn't know how we'd do this year," said Salo, a rare four-year varsity player. "I'm pleasantly surprised by how well we've done.

  "We call ourselves the 'Comeback Queens' because no matter how deep of a hole we're in, we know we can come back and win."

  Heading into Wednesday's Division 1 District tournament semifinal game against Canton, the youthful Wildcats are 26-13-1 overall. They placed third in the KLAA South this fall with a 5-5 mark.

  "We had good chemistry this year," said Smoltz, a three-year varsity performer. "Everyone worked well together and got along. I was easy to pick each other up because we all like one another."

  Smoltz said playing volleyball at Plymouth gave her skills she'll use the rest of her life.

  "Being on a team like this made me more of a leader," she said. "I'm going to miss it a lot. These girls aren't just my teammates, they're my friends for life."

  O'Connor, who is one of the team's top defensive players, said it's the everyday routine she shared with her friends and teammates that she'll miss the most once the Wildcats' season ends at some point this month.

  "I loved being in here so much," she said, looking around the Plymouth High School gymnasium. "All the friends I've met, and the coaches, it's been a great experience. I don't know what I'm going to do with all my extra time once volleyball ends."

  Salo, who may try to walk on to Northern Michigan University's volleyball team next year, said she's not looking forward to the the end of the season and her career.

  "What am I going to miss the most?" she said. "Everything. I'm going to miss everything. I mean, this is something we'll never have again."

  Ed Wright can be reached at info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 453-1980.