CENTREVILLE — The White Pigeon volleyball team trailed by a set and was in a big hole during the second as well on Tuesday in Centreville. But the Chiefs galvanized together and figured out a way to get back into the match.
They wound up winning in four sets, as well. Centreville claimed the first 25-19, but White Pigeon won the final three at 25-21, 25-21 and 25-16.
“These girls played with heart, they showed grit and played with perseverance against a well-groomed Centreville team,” White Pigeon coach Melissa Gales said. “We wanted that win and tonight we had the fight to do it. My middles worked the net well and our defense never stop moving.”
Centreville coach Deric Mostrom said when the Bulldogs and Chiefs meet up, it’s always a tough matchup.
“I say this every year, but the White Pigeon vs. Centreville match up is always a battle. This year, we did not end up on top,” he said. “We did some very good things, but we battled with keeping the ball. We still aren’t to the point where we are consistently going after teams, which makes it hard to win the tighten matches.”
White Pigeon was led by Kenlee Schrader with 35 assists, four kills and four digs. Sadie McDaniel had a team-high 16 kills with six blocks, Kadance Smith scored nine kills with three blocks. Grace Bontrager finished with six kills and 12 digs, Mable Post added three kills and Jennafaye Zehr had two kills with five digs. Addison Smith had a team-high 21 digs.
Centreville got 24 assists and nine digs from Kalli Sneed, both Keturah Younts and Livia Jacobs scored five kills. Drew Alexander added a team-high 29 digs, Mary Stears finished with 11 kills and 26 digs. Kalee Griggs scored four kills.
Constantine powers past Schoolcraft
The Constantine volleyball team won in three sets over Schoolcraft on Tuesday. The Falcons won all three sets by scores of 25-20.
“The girls showed a lot of grit and tenacity tonight fighting their way back from four and five point deficits to still come away with the sweep,” Falcon coach Tiffany Lewis said. “We struggled serving tonight which we have to get under control especially at this point in the season but over all it was a great team and program night for Constantine volleyball.”
Anndee Evans handed out 27 assists in the match, she also scored eight aces. Jaedyn Herlein added nine kills, Jaelyn Buglione scored nine kills as well with six digs. Raeann Michalek finished with eight kills.
Bronson finds a way
The Bronson volleyball team beat Quincy in a close match on Tuesday evening. The Lady Vikings picked up the win by scores of 25-23, 25-20, 23-25 and 25-15.
“We certainly were not on our ‘A’ game, and I thought Quincy covered the floor well,” Bronson coach Jean LaClair said.
Aleah Brackett led Bronson with 18 kills, totaled 19 digs with five aces and five assists. Itzel Albarran handed out 12 assists as well, Braylynn Dow added three kills while Roni Bir and Jaisee Wilson each totaled two. Hadley Wagaman had a team-high 23 digs.
Jonesville wins a pair
The Jonesville volleyball team won a couple of matches on Tuesday evening. Both matches were in three sets as they beat East Jackson 25-11, 25-19 and 25-17 plus Homer 27-25, 25-22 and 25-23.
“This was a huge team win, with high energy and great synergy and it was so nice to see these girls play so hard and stay positive and aggressive the whole time,” Jonesville coach Sydney Barrett said.
Morgan Wood led with 14 kills, Jayda Rathbun and Payton Nicholson each had eight kills, Rathbun totaled 16 digs as well. Olivia Tyler totaled 33 digs, Jaclyn Henry finished with 26 digs for the Comets.
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: White Pigeon volleyball rebounds, rallies to beat Centreville in rivalry battle
Reporting by Brandon Watson, Sturgis Journal / Sturgis Journal
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