The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Banged-up Big Reds score tourney upsets
Victories at Onsted help ease sting of Huron losses
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: January 25, 2007
As the song goes, if it weren't for bad luck, over the past week the Milan volleyball team wouldn't have had any luck at all.
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But even a rash of injuries and illness didn't keep the Big Reds from posting two inspirational victories at last Saturday's Onsted Invitational. After losing all three matches in pool play –– to Hillsdale, hosts Onsted and Napoleon –– Milan faced Pittsford in the Silver division quarterfinals. The Big Reds got off the mat to defeat Pittsford 15-11 and 15-8.
In the Silver semifinals, Milan faced higher seed Jackson Lumen Christi. The Big Reds again grabbed a surprising victory, winning two thrilling games by scores of 16-14 and 16-14.
Milan lost its rematch to Hillsdale in the Silver bracket finals 17-15 and 15-8. But given the Big Reds' problems, just reaching the finals gave the team a substantial lift.
"It was really big for us," said coach Andrea Marshall. "We had to change our lineup and change the dynamic, so there was a chemistry change. When we came back, I thought that was great for our confidence."
Milan's problems began Jan. 17, when the Big Reds traveled to Grosse Ile. Milan took Game 1 against the Red Devils 25-21, but lost setter Carolyn Nelson to injury during Game 2. The home team would go on to win that game 25-17 and the next two 25-22 and 25-14 to claim the match.
Later, Marshall would learn that senior starter Emily Hoskins would miss the remainder of the season with a back injury. To top it off, the Big Reds would go to Onsted without front line player Bekah Draves, out through illness.
With Nelson still recovering, it took the three pool-play games before the necessary adjustments took hold, and Milan was able to settle in and pull off the upsets.
"It makes a huge impact," Marshall said of the injuries. "We coach them to play all positions, but we just don't have the kind of depth where we can just replace our seniors."
The Big Reds' injury woes seemed to catch up to them again Monday, when they fell on the road to Monroe-Jefferson 25-14, 25-19, and 25-19. But Marshall remains confident her team can move past the "sporadic" play brought on by the difficulties and continue moving forward.
"We're hitting some bumps in the road," she said, "but I think we'll be fine."
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