ERIE – Janie Valdez didn’t have to do any research to find out the last time Whiteford’s volleyball program won a league title.
She knew they answer because she was on the team the last time it happened – the 2014-15 school year.
The Bobcats beat Erie Mason 25-22, 25-23, 25-22 on Tuesday, Oct. 28, to tie Tri-County Conference championship.
“We have set this as a goal for our program since I started coaching five years ago,” Valdez said. “We wanted to get back on top of our league and stay there. We have come close the last few seasons and getting it this year felt like the work is paying off. They have earned it and have it feels really good.”
Bailey Spradling led the way Tuesday with 19 kills, a .552 hitting percentage, 13 digs and 7 aces.
Kailee LaVoy added 9 kills and Addeson Cousino contributed 31 assists.
Mason was led by Addie Homrich with 14 kills and 3 blocks. Jayanna Willets logged 20 digs and Kaylee Wright had 21 assists for the 13-12-3Eagles
“Tonight’s result wasn’t what we wanted, but it doesn’t change who we are or what we’ve built together,” Mason coach Kayle Scott said.
TUESDAY’S TOP PERFORMANCES
VOLLEYBALL
Lucy Monahan, Bedford: Recorded 10 kills and 5 blocks during a 25-18, 27-25, 25-19 victory over Chelsea. Hayden Fausze (8 kills, 7 aces), Kennadi Goulet (7 kills) and Olivia Eby (16 assists) also stood out for the Mules.
Brandie Gobrecht, Ida: Logged 24 digs during wins over Hillsdale, Blissfield and Onsted in the Lenawee County Athletic Association Tournament. Ella Taylor (12), Libbie Wolfenbarger (10 and Addy Wilt (10) were tops in kills and Ella Curry had 4 blocks.
Lilly Motylinski, Dundee: Finished with 25 kills, 25 digs and 6 aces as the Vikings beat Adrian Madison and Hillsdale and lost to Clinton in the Lenawee County Athletic Association Tournament. Maddie Salenbien (15 kills, 7 blocks). Lacey Evans (26 digs), Sophia Nolff (22 digs), Tessa Purser (28 assists) and Ella Fowler (27 assists) were other leaders.
Riley Soldwish, Summerfield: Registered 16 assists as the Bulldogs finished the regular season at 15-6 with a 25-16, 25-11, 25-9 win over Britton Deerfield. Jaeli Jones had 8 kills and 6 digs, Bridget Salenbien 5 kills and Sophie Stanger 5 digs.
Lyndie Dalton, State Line Christian: Was perfect in serving and finished with 5 kills during a 25-12, 17-25, 25-23, 25-16 win over Waterford Lakecrest in the semifinals of the Michigan Association of Christian Schools state tournament. Maegan Newbold also served at 100 percent and Makenna Heaton delivered 8 kills. State Line will play Faith Davison for the championship at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
GIRLS SWIMMING
Sloan Branum, Dundee: Won the individual medley and backstrone and swam on the winning medley and 400 freestyle relays as Vikings beat Tecumseh 100-84, St. Mary Catholic Central 137-42 and New Boston Huron-Taylor 127-52. Lily Ratliff won the 50 and 100 freestyle and Alexis Colby ruled the breaststroke. SMCC fell 134-50 to Tecumseh and 98-67 to Huron-Taylor. The Kestrels had 17 personal bests including three by Ava Sinnott and two each by Raven Hinkle, Madelyn Collins, and Autumn Carnagey.
CROSS COUNTRY
Amelia Murphy, Ava Dowen and Cole Butler, Trinity Lutheran: Earned All-American status at the Lutheran National Cross Country Championships. Murphy was seventh for fourth-sixth grade girls, Dowen ninth for seventh-eighth girls and Butler 15th in seventh-eighth boys.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Whiteford coach Janie Valdez leads alma mater to volleyball title
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
