FLAT ROCK – Aubree Higgins was ready for the start of the Huron League volleyball season.
The Milan senior racked up 20 kills, including 11 in the third set, to lead her team to a 25-19, 25-19, 25-21 victory over Flat Rock on Monday, Sept. 8.
Milan started fast, then Higgins killed any hopes of a Flat Rock comeback with a strong finish. She had 6 kills on 10 swings during the final 10 points for her team, including the match-winner. She hit .363 in the third set.
“We came out strong in sets one and two,” said Milan’s first-year head coach Sarah Eliason. “We defended well and played together. We were tested in the third set, but we were able to fight through some adversity to come out on top.”
Madison Slack (26 assists). Layal Frye (13 digs, 5 assists) and Lana Pacholke (5 blocks, 4 kills) also were standouts for Milan.
The serving of Reagan Higdon and strong play at the net by Sarah Giroux and Lily Klein fueled Flat Rock.
MONDAY’S TOP PERFORMERS
VOLLEYBALL
Braelynn Preach, Jefferson: Recorded 10 digs, 4 assists and 2 aces in a 25-20, 25-17, 25-19 loss to Riverview. Jenna Flint added 8 assists and Jaylyn VanSlambrouck 5 kills, 5 digs and 4 aces. “We played strong and scrappy defense but need to eliminate unforced errors,” Jefferson coach Kylie Ely said.
Renee Shrewsbury and Chloe Ruhlig, Airport: Combined for 11 blocks during a 25-18, 25-15, 25-15 win over Grosse Ile. Joelle Shrewsbury ran the offense well and Madi Boehm stood out on defense for the 10-2 Jets.
Olivia Beaudrie, SMCC: Rang up 9 kills and 5 digs in a victory over New Boston Huron. Quinn Harrington (8 kills) and Madeline Dettling (6 kills) also were strong at the net and Alexa Turner notched 14 assists, 8 digs and 2 blocks. “The team played very consistent getting a good mix of offense from Olivia , Quinn and Madeline,” SMCC coach Kim Windham said.
GIRLS GOLF
Nora Kinsey, St. Mary Catholic Central: Took medalist honors in the first Huron League jamboree of the season with a round of 81 at Green Meadows Golf Course. She got help from Lauren Tolliver (89), Olivia Piepsney (96) and Gracelyn Carter (98) as the Kestrels shot 364 to finish nine strokes better than Grosse Ile. New Boston Huron was third with 403, Airport fourth with 425, Flat Rock sixth with 459, Jefferson seventh with 563. Milan did not field a full team. Hurons Brookly Burke (84) was second, Flat Rock’s Elyse Rogier (87) and Airport’s Raegan Budzios (91) seventh.
BOYS SOCCER
Nolan Rykse, Monroe: Netted the only goal of the game on a perfect cross from Jack Venne to give the Trojans their second win in school history over Dexter. Goalkeeper EJ Murnighan made 13 saves to post his second shutout of the season. Rooney Scoles, Aiden Gray, Edwin Sanchez, Evan Ortiz, Luis Diaz, Jake Steckmeyer, Colin Gray and Brody Smith had strong games for 2-5-1 Monroe. “We scored an excellent goal and defended calmly and intelligently,” Monroe coach Ian Cook said.
David Knezovich, Flat Rock: Posted a hat trick to lead the Rams past Jefferson-Erie Mason 7-0. Brady McBride (2 goals, 4 assists) and Mac Mlotha (2 goals, 1 assist) also had big nights for Flat Rock. “Jefferson put up a fight coming out of halftime and the boys held strong,” Flat Rock coach Sean Sturgeon said.
Luke Bishop, Dundee: Scored a pair of goals to lead Dundee to its fourth victory of the season, a 4-0 triumph over Onsted. John Trejo and Kia Hoxey had the other goals while Jaxson Arecheja and Braxton Ellison led the defense.
Maverik Bazzy, New Boston Huron: Scored off an assist by Johann Vasquez in the 74th minute to produce a 1-0 win over Milan. Huron is 10-1 with eight shutouts. Wyatt Hurd was outstanding in net for Milan.
SATURDAY’S TOP PERFORMERS
VOLLEYBALL
Peyton Zajac, Airport: Hit .400 in a win over Belleville and .300 in a win over Grosse Pointe North as the Jets went 2-1 in the Dearborn Divine Child Quad. Renee Shrewsbury, Julia Dyson, Chloe Ruhlig, Jillian Baker and Mya Stahr also were hitting standouts, Madi Boehm, Joelle Shrewsberry and Myah Hoppert led the defense.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Aubree Higgins logs 11 of her 20 kills in third set to power Milan
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
