Shaky 'D' proves to be Salem's downfall in setback to Northville

  In volleyball, it's hard to get your offense going when you can't get your defense going.

  Case in point: Salem's frustrating five-game loss to Northville Tuesday night.

  Hamstrung by a string of costly self-induced errors, the Rocks tumbled in a tense cliff-hanger, 25-21, 17-25, 25-22, 21-25, 15-13.

  The result left both teams with 2-1 records in the KLAA Central Division.

  (To view video highlights of Tuesday's match, click on:

  Salem's schedule will only get more difficult with a match at Livonia Stevenson on Thursday and another at Novi on Tuesday. Stevenson upended Northville in three games last week.

  "Our serve-receive was almost non-existent tonight," lamented Salem coach Amanda Nies. "It just wasn't very good. We couldn't pass and we weren't making any defensive plays.

  "Northville has a great defensive team and they were able to dig out a lot of our balls. We made more errors -- hitting errors, serve-receive errors and serving errors -- than we've made in any match this season. We couldn't finish. We just didn't seem to be awake tonight."

  Senior Nicole Merget had a monster offensive night for the Rocks, netting 37 kills, four blocks and nine digs.

  However, the next-highest kill total for Salem was Jillian Sommerville's six.

  Even though the Rocks were having an off-night, they were still in prime position to pull off a win, leading late in game five, 13-11. However, the Mustangs pulled ahead, 14-13, on a Taylor Young kill followed by a pair of deep hits by the Rocks before winning it on Michelle Mueller's match-ending block.

  "My line-up for the fifth game was exactly how I wanted it," said Nies. "I had Nicole and Jillian in the front row. We just couldn't finish."

  Salem nearly mounted a remarkable comeback in game one, cutting a 24-17 deficit to 24-21 behind the slick serving of Kerry MacDonald. However, MacDonald's final serve nipped the net and the Mustangs survived with a 25-21 decision.

  Salem led throughout game two, winning comfortably, 25-17, to grab the momentum...if only temporarily.

  Game three was knotted at 20-20 before the Mustangs put together a four-point run  behind two kills from Rebecca Martin. The Rocks pulled to within 24-22 until Northville won it on a Megan Gertley kill.

  Game three was marred by a scary injury incurred by Northville's Lindsey Fox, who appeared to suffer an ankle injury with the game tied at 4-4.

  Salem trailed, 13-12, mid-way through game four before roaring back behind Merget's strong play at the net to even the match, 25-21.

  Nies praised the play of libero Katie Vincent, who sparkled in the serve-receive department, handling all 20 serves that came her way.

  MacDonald was also brilliant, picking up 45 set assists and 22 digs.

  Abby Dworzanin recorded 14 digs, three kills and one ace.

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

Jillian Sommerville returns the ball with her back to the net. (Ed Wright photo)

Salem libero Katie Vincent was a perfect 20-for-20 in the serve-receive department. (Ed Wright photo)

Madeleine Vala bumps the ball as Katie Vincent looks on. (Ed Wright photo)

Nicole Merget and Kristen Johnson block Megan McCrohan. (Ed Wright photo)

Nicole Merget sets the ball as Madeleine Vala and Jillian Sommerville look on. (Ed Wright photo)