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CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT: Rocks outlast ‘Cats to win ‘Park’ title

 CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT: Rocks outlast ‘Cats to win ‘Park’ title

Members of Salem’s volleyball team pose for a team photo after defeating Plymouth in four sets.

Trailing Plymouth 21-18 in the tone-setting first set of Tuesday’s match that would decide the 2024 Plymouth-Canton Educational Park champion, Salem Head Coach Nancy Blaylock called a timeout.

“I just told them to calm down and get some water,” Blaylock explained. “I wanted them to be loose; sometimes they think a little bit too much. I just wanted them to relax and play like they’re capable of playing.”

Once the Rocks walked back out onto the court, they played like a well-oiled machine, taking seven straight points — including an epic rally that evened the score at 21-21 — to win 25-21.

(To watch video highlights from Tuesday’s match, click here.)

Sophomore Tamari Wheatley takes a swing during the match against Plymouth
Sophomore Tamari Wheatley takes a swing during the match against Plymouth

The set-one triumph turned out to be the catalyst for a four-set victory (25-21, 25-20, 14-25 and 25-17) over the Wildcats, who were the reigning “Park” champs.

“We lost to Plymouth in five sets last year, so to win tonight feels fantastic,” said Blaylock, who said it’s the first Park title for Salem since she was hired in 2020. “It’s especially nice for our seniors because it was their last chance to win the Park championship.”

Satisfying for seniors

One of those six seniors Blaylock referred to is Ciara Farmer, a 5-foot-4 sky-walker.

Salem senior Ashriya Sunkara and Plymouth senior Tara Creekmore square off at the net
Salem senior Ashriya Sunkara and Plymouth senior Tara Creekmore square off at the net

“This feels really good because I hadn’t won a Park title since I was on JV my freshman year,” said Farmer, who delivered a key first-set kill that put the Rocks ahead for good, 22-21. “The key for us tonight was we kept picking each other up. We had some points in the match when we were down, but we lifted each other up, which really helps.

“The thing I’m proudest of tonight is that I got all my serves in, which is so important because you don’t want the opponent to get a point off an unforced error.”

The unofficial MVP for Salem was senior setter Presley Escote, who was presented after the match with a crown that Blaylock brought to the match in case her team was triumphant.

Presley reigns for a night

“That was a surprise for them,” Blaylock said. “While we were in the huddle after the win, I had the girls pick who got to wear the crown, and they chose Presley. It was well-deserved as she played great.”

Plymouth setter Giana Jourdonnais delivers a perfect assist
Plymouth setter Giana Jourdonnais delivers a perfect assist

Similar to set one, the Wildcats started strong in the next set, building a semi-commanding 20-15 lead on a kill by sophomore middle Dakota Parnell.

Following their night-long blueprint, the Rocks reeled off 10 straight points to take a 2-0 lead, 25-20.

“This is a very resilient team,” Blaylock said. “Even the girls who weren’t on the floor made an impact with the support they provided for the girls who were playing. This is a big program win.”

Belleville boost

Salem gained a touch of momentum heading into Tuesday’s match by going 11-0-1 to win their flight in Saturday’s Belleville Invitational.

Salem sophomore Elizabeth. Nordstrom was a force at the net
Salem sophomore Elizabeth Nordstrom was a force at the net

“We beat Plymouth and Canton Saturday, so that was a nice confidence boost,” Blaylock said.

While Farmer and Escote played pivotal roles for Salem, front-row standouts Elizabeth Nordstrom and Ashriya Sunkara were money at the net for the winners as they delivered huge swing after huge swing.

Junior libero Delaney Fillman was a smooth operator in terms of keeping points alive. CJ Kiffner, Mia Nunez and Sofia Mefford were also difference-makers for Salem.

‘Cats rebound to avoid sweep

Facing a sweep, Plymouth re-established momentum with a decisive third-set win thanks in large part to senior Tara Creekmore, who tallied six kills and a block in the stanza.

The first third of the fourth set was tight thanks to stellar play from Plymouth’s Creekmore, Leah McCully and Giana Jourdonnais. However, Salem stretched a 9-8 lead into a 17-11 advantage as Sunkara contributed a kill and a block; and Kiffner lasered a vital service ace to propel the Rocks to a clinching eight-point win.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com. 

Salem libero Delaney Fillman keeps a point alive
Salem libero Delaney Fillman keeps a point alive
Tara Creekmore delivers a nonreturnable kill
Tara Creekmore delivers a nonreturnable kill
CJ Kiffner was solid Tuesday night
CJ Kiffner was solid Tuesday night

 

 

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Ed Wright

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