Canton's Maggie Deloy rises for a kill against the block of Churchill's Erin Menard and Cory Urbats. (photo by Ed Wright)

Churchill spikers deflate Chiefs' hopes of seizing division lead

  Some autumn rituals never seem to change.

  The air chills.

  The leaves change color.

  The Detroit Lions build a losing streak.

  And Livonia Churchill dominates in volleyball.

  The beat went on for the Chargers Thursday night in Canton's Phase 3 gymnasium when they swept the Chiefs, 25-22, 25-14 and 25-21, in front of a jacked-up crowd.

  To view video highlights of the match, click on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7YB9yFZkJw

  Canton entered the match with high hopes of knocking off the Chargers for the first time in several years -- and for good reason.

  The Chiefs were 3-0 in the KLAA South and functioning like a well-oiled machine.

  But Cory Urbats & Co. proved to be too skilled, combining exemplary defense with more than enough front-row firepower.

  "They don't let anything drop," said Canton coach Mary Kryska, praising Churchill's floor-covering defense. "There were a few times when we were celebrating and they were keeping the ball alive.

  "The bottom line is we had way too many communication errors and our serve-receive was the worst I've seen it since the first game of the Salem match."

  Churchill coach Mark Grenier stressed that the Chiefs had certainly gained the Chargers' respect with the high-level of play they'd been playing at entering Thursday's showdown.

  "Canton has a great team," Grenier said. "They're very athletic, they hit real well. They do a lot of nice things.

  "This was a good match for us. We play good defense and we have a couple of kids who can hit. Certainly Canton pushed us tonight."

  The Phase 3 gymnasium had an electric feel to it during pre-game player introductions as a vocal student cheering section showed their appreciation for the Chiefs.

  Canton proved it was up to the Chargers' challenge early on, bolting to a 4-1 lead in game one thanks largely to an Alaina Turner block and kill.

  But the Chiefs were never able to manufacture enough momentum to mount sustained runs the rest of the night, due mainly to some serious defense unleashed by Churchill libero Kara Kempinski and Urbats, a senior setter.

  Whenever Canton's offense would get in a groove that resulted in solid swings from Kristin Muir and Turner, a Charger player would almost without fail slide across the floor to keep the point alive.

  Game one remained close until the end. The Chiefs actually led, 22-21, on Maggie Deloy's floor-banging kill, but the Chargers scored the final four points -- two the result of Chief errors, the final one coming on Emily Norscia's kill -- to win 25-22.

  The Chargers were never really threatened in game two, jumping out to a quick 7-3 lead before winning 25-14. Nicole Kempinski -- Kara's twin sister -- slammed home the game's final point in emphatic fashion.

  The Chiefs displayed flashes of brilliance in game three -- particularly from Turner and senior middle Tori denBoer -- but the Chargers completed their sweep, 25-21.

  "From here on out, things are going to get tougher around here," Kryska said. "No more taking it easy. It's do or die now."

  Norscia knocked down a match-high 21 kills. Menard added seven kills while the Kempinski twins combined for 32 digs.

  Turner paced the Chiefs' attack with 12 kills. Muir added seven kills and 14 digs while Alex Bryden chipped in with eight digs.

  Kryska praised the play of Tori denBoer, who had a season-high four blocks.

  Canton setters Lauren Martin and Jackie Waite registered 13 and 11 assists, respectively. 

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

Erica den Boer settles under a bump as Lauren Martin (5), Maggie Deloy (7) and Alaina Turner (3) look on. (Ed Wright photo)

Lauren Martin hits the floor to make a spectacular dig. (Ed Wright photo)

Alaina Turner puts down a kill during game one of Thursday night's match. (Ed Wright photo)