FLAT ROCK – Four match points.
St. Mary Catholic Central’s volleyball team was facing a monstrous uphill battle in a showdown for first place in the Huron League on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
The Kestrels were down 24-20 in the fourth set after dropping two of the first three.
What did SMCC coach Kim Windham tell her players during a timeout?
“One point at a time,” she said. “We had to keep our self-composure.”
That’s exactly what the Kestrels did, fighting back to win the fourth set, then coasting in the decisive fifth set for a 26-24, 15-25, 23-25, 26-24, 15-9 victory.
“It was a heck of a fight,” Windham said.
The slight waver at the close of the fourth set was costly for Flat Rock in a match that was razor tight all night.
“We knew we were in for a challenge,” said Flat Rock coach Morgan Delhey, who has most of the key players back from a team that was the state runner-up in Division 2 last season. “Kudos to SMCC, but we can’t give up points like that at the end of the fourth set.”
After pulling off the dramatic comeback in the fourth, SMCC took charge in the fifth.
The Kestrels raced out to 7-2 lead on twos kill and a tandem block with Alexa Turner by Avery Yeager and aces by Reese Foster and Avery Gramlich.
Claire Ryan racked up three kills, Allie Ruhlig added two and Turner served up an ace to help SMCC close it out.
SMCC suffered heavy graduation losses from a team that reached the state semifinals in Division 3 last season, but showed great poise throughout a night where neither team was able to get much breathing room.
The score was tied 10 times in the third set and 11 times in the fourth.
Reigning Monroe County Region Player of the Year Sarah Giroux had a huge match with 34 kills and 28 digs. Lily Klein also was a tower of strength with 22 kills, 29 digs and 4 blocks.
Zoe Ryan added 53 assists, 15 digs and 3 blocks for the 12-4-1 Rams.
WEDNESDAY’S TOP PERFORMERS
VOLLEYBALL
Jaylyn Vanslambrouck, Jefferson: Rang up 14 kills and served 8 points in a 25-22, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19 victory over Grosse Ile. “We faced some adversity by dropping the third set, but were able to come back with a decisive win in the fourth,” Jefferson coach Jason Stanke said. “We continue to learn and grow as a team.”
Darby Philbeck, Airport: Directed the offense with 42 assists and served 3 aces to spark a 23-25, 26-24, 25-16, 21-25, 16-14 triumph over Riverview. Mya Stahr delivered a season-high of 18 kills to go along with 24 digs and 5 aces. Sophia Ruhlig (10 kills, 6 digs) and Katie Roecker (7 kills, 4 digs, 2 aces) also had strong performances and Myra VanWashenova, Jane Smart and Jenna Kemp led the defense.
SOCCER
Cristobal Zamarron, Flat Rock: Scored off an assist by Theo Meyer for the Rams’ only goal in a 6-1 loss to Trenton. Collin Linder made 18 saves.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Region high school sports roundup for Wednesday, Sept. 23
