Plymouth outlasts Canton in exciting rivalry volleyball match
Hope Purwadihardja tips the ball over a Canton double block Tuesday night.
With each thumping sound made by fists or wrists connecting with speeding volleyballs Tuesday night, the Canton-vs.-Plymouth rivalry match grew more intense.
After the Wildcats surged to a 2-0 lead in sets, the Cobras stormed back to take the third set and pulled to within 24-23 in set four before an emphatic back-row kill by senior Tara Creekmore cemented the 3-1 triumph.
The result on Parents Night for Plymouth left both teams with 1-2 records in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association’s West Division, which is led by unbeaten Northville.
Visiting Canton set the tone early, vaulting to a 7-2 first-set advantage behind strong front-row play by senior Ava Churnesky and junior Abigail Valenzuela.
(To check out video highlights from Tuesday’s match, click here.)
Back-and-forth action
Trailing 15-10, the Wildcats found their rhythm, scoring seven straight points (the last two on a Kate Ryan kill and a Creekmore ace) to seize a 17-15 lead that they’d never relinquish on the way to a 25-22 win.
Plymouth owned set two, playing with a comfortable lead throughout thanks to a series of Creekmore kills mixed in with stellar play in the middle by sophomore Dakota Parnell. The ‘Cats won the set, 25-19.
The Cobras could not have played much better in the do-or-die third set, winning 25-11 behind Churnesky’s powerful left-side hitting exhibition and sophomore Lily Swan’s right-side prowess.
The point of the night unfolded with Canton leading 17-10. The two teams exchanged a series of incredible digs (Alyssa Jasman was the Cobras’ defensive star while Harmony Purwadihardja and Hannah Simko shined for the Wildcats) during a point that last nearly one minute.
McCully steps up
Leah McCully led the winners’ charge in the match-clinching fourth set, contributing a service ace and multiple non-returnable kills.
A fifth set loomed as Plymouth led just 22-21 late in set four, but the hosts closed out the victory with some clutch play in the final moments.
Both teams return to action Thursday in a pair of KLAA cross-over matches. Canton hosts Westland John Glenn while Plymouth hosts Dearborn Fordson.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
