The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
DRIVE TO THE DISTRICTS: Sweep of New Boston powers Big Reds
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 1, 2007
If there was any doubt about the Milan volleyball team's improvement in 2007, just ask New Boston Huron.
Advertisement
The Big Reds dispatched the visiting Chiefs with ease in a doubleheader Feb. 21, sweeping both matches three games to none. The victories gave Milan wins in five of their last seven Huron League matches and wrapped up the Big Reds' league schedule with a 5-9 record.
That record is two matches better than in 2006 despite Milan losing middle hitter Emily Hoskins before the Huron slate even began and various other players to either injury or illness throughout the season.
"I think we're much improved over last year," head coach Andrea Marshall said after the New Boston wins. "We were able to keep our own momentum going and not let the other team take it away. They were communicating and passing the ball well. Passing has been a battle for us all season long."
Milan was able to seize control from the get-go against the Chiefs and never let up. Milan took Game 1 25-17, cruised to a 25-13 win in Game 2 and clinched the match at 25-17 in Game 3.
Although New Boston was able to make things more competitive in the second half of the double-header, Milan still denied the visitors a game win or any score higher than 21. The Big Reds polished off the sweep by taking Game 1 25-19, game 2 25-21 and Game 3 25-20.
The Milan effort was spearheaded by a great all-around performance from senior setter Carolyn Nelson, who finished with 32 assists, nine kills, nine blocks and three aces.
Freshman Bekah Draves and senior Jennifer Dennison helped lead the Big Red attack with 17 and 16 kills, respectively. Junior Kat Allore also collected a team-high six aces.
Defensively, junior Kaitlin Ludwig notched a team-high 13 blocks. Draves also added four.
The Big Reds will hope to draw on the momentum from that victory heading into Friday's district tournament, where they will face the winner of a first-round game between Ida and Erie-Mason.
Milan was unfortunately unable to add to that momentum in an appearance at Saturday's River Rat Invitational at Ann Arbor Huron.
Placed in a difficult group for pool play, the Big Reds dropped their first six games. They battled first opponent Sterling Heights, taking a 10-6 lead on four straight points on Jennifer Robinson's serve and eventually leading 17-15. But the Stallions took the next eight points on their way to winning game 1 25-19 and won Game 2 going away, 25-18.
The Big Reds struggled against other pool opponents Dearborn and Dexter, losing both games against each, before improving in the elimination round against Flint Carman-Ainsworth.
The Big Reds came back from an early deficit to lose by two in Game 1 against the Cavaliers, 23-25, before taking another tough loss in game 2, 22-25.
Despite the struggles, Marshall remains optimistic about her team's chances in districts and satisfied with the strides the program has made this season.
"All in all, I'm happy," she said. "Athletically, they're there. If they come in ready to play, if the girls come in mentally prepared, we'll have a good chance."
Districts will be held at Willow Run High School with Milan's match scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
Expanded
Web
Coverage
Staff Blog, "Inside The Newsroom"
TOP JOBS
