For you, coach
Wildcats
dedicate win to missing coach
Plymouth's
volleyball team was playing for a lot more than a 2-0 division record
Tuesday night.
The Wildcats wanted to win in the worst way for head coach Kelly
McCausland, who missed the match to attend the funeral of her
grandfather, who passed away on Sunday.
They not only won, they swept visiting Westland John Glenn in
three games to move into a tie for first place in the KLAA's South
Division with Canton.
"We really wanted to win this game for coach, and for her
grandpa," said Plymouth senior captain Katie Salo. "We came together
and bonded tonight. Whenever we started slumping, we pulled it
together and came through with the win."
Plymouth junior varsity coach Sarah Marody filled in for
McCausland.
"I've coached all of these girls at the JV level, so it helped
that I was familiar with them," said Marody. "I was impressed with how
the girls played defensively tonight."
The first two games were coated with a thick layer of drama.
Plymouth trailed game one, 25-24, before storming back to earn the
final
three points and a 27-25 victory. Junior middle hitter Alex Roberts
cemented the win by notching kills on the final two points.
The Wildcats trailed late in game two, 23-22, before taking the
final three points to go up 2-0. Roberts again provided the
game-clinching kill.
Plymouth surged to a 9-1 lead in game three and never looked
back, winning 25-19. The early onslaught was spearheaded by Salo, who
registered six consecutive service points at the outset. Dani Risi also
sparkled, drilling three straight kills during her team's early
uprising.
"We played with a lot of enthusiasm in the last game," said
Salo. "Everybody was really focused."
Risi led the 'Cats with 14 kills. Junior captain Kelly Smoltz
finished with a team-high seven blocks while Salo chalked up 26 assists.
Junior libero Mariah Tesarz was stellar all night, compiling a
team-high 31 digs.
"Both teams played with a lot of energy tonight," Marody said.
"It was a fun match to watch."
Ed Wright can be reached at
info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 453-1980.
