USA takes 5-game marathon vs. EPBP

Here's a volleyball recap from Tuesday night.

Also, some photos from the USA-EPBP match. 

Click on the photos and they will enlarge...

SEBEWAING — Karen Smith’s first trip back to Unionville-Sebewaing Area as an opponent was a heartbreaking one.

Smith, a former USA coach who is now running the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port volleyball program, saw her Lakers battle with the Patriots in an exciting Greater Thumb West match here Tuesday night. 

In the end, USA rallied for a grueling 26-24, 22-25, 25-20, 23-25, 16-14 victory over the Lakers.

“We just couldn't finish tonight,” Smith said. “We took early leads in most of the games, and then left the back door open for them.

“It was a very exciting — and frustrating — (match).” 

For the night, Erika Matteson had 19 kills, nine digs and four blocks for the Lakers while Erin Albrecht added 10 kills and eight digs, Ashlyn Albrecht 12 kills and five blocks, Brooklyn Foy 31 assists, Gala Shivley four assists and Kacy Shetler eight digs.

ROUNDUP

North Huron 

sweeps Port Hope

KINDE — North Huron earned its first North Central Thumb League victory of the year, defeating Port Hope (25-15, 25-13, 25-22).

Sara Clancy had 17 kills and two aces to lead the Warriors while Hanna Selaty added 14 digs and seven kills, Amanda Navock 15 assists, three kills and three aces, Ashley Case 15 digs, three aces and three kills, Karlie Goretski four kills and two digs, Clara Yaroch six digs and five assists, Haley Moore four digs and Katie Knoblock three assists.

North Huron is 1-1 in league play. 

CPS falls to Memphis

MEMPHIS — Memphis picked up a 25-13, 25-18, 25-17 NCTL  win over Carsonville-Port Sanilac on Tuesday.

Brooke Alexander had four digs, three kills and two aces for CPS while Emily Kelly had four kills, four digs and three aces, and Kelsey Jones five digs and one ace.

Eagles off to nice start

CASEVILLE — The Caseville volleyball team is off to a fine start to the season.

Earlier, the Eagles rallied from way back to earn a thrilling 25-27, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17, 16-14 win over North Huron.

Rebecca Janke had 12 points, seven aces and 10 kills for the Eagles while Heather Nowak added 24 kills, 16 points and five aces, Haley Buckey 10 points, 29 digs and one ace, and Kelsey Redwantz 12 points.

“The entire team’s determination — combined with Rebecca Janke’s on-court leadership — were critical in our come-from-behind win,” said Caseville  coach David Watts.

On Monday, the Eagles picked up a 25-11, 25-11, 25-9 non-league win over Saginaw Arts and Science.

For the Eagles, Natasha Simmons had 19 points and four aces while Veronica Sauer had six kills and four blocks, and Taylor King four kills and two blocks.

The Eagles are in action this Thursday night at Owendale-Gagetown.

ATTENTION COACHES: All coaches are reminded that the Tribune’s new deadline to print is 6 a.m. That means results need to be into the Tribune office by 5 a.m. for publication that day. Otherwise, results will appear in the the following day’s paper. 

Brooklyn Foy serves for the Lakers.

Gala Shivley saves the ball for the Lakers.

USA’s Andrea Vermeersch (5) goes high in the air for a kill against EPBP’s Erika Matteson (2) and Erin Albrecht.  

Erika Matteson finds a hole for a kill between USA's Mackenzie Treiber and Miranda Fuerst.

Justine Swartzendruber (6) battles with Samantha Eisengruber (4).

Guess which team won the point by the reaction of the USA bench!

Brooklyn Foy and USA's Jessica Gremel battle at the net.

Miranda Fuerst tips the ball over Justine Swartzendruber.

Samantha Eisengruber spikes over Erika Matteson and Rebecca Schember.