REPEAT PERFORMANCE: Salem outlasts Canton for P-CEP title
Salem’s volleyball team poses for a photo after its four-set triumph over Canton.
Once was not enough.
Overcoming injuries and a fired-up Canton contingent, Salem’s volleyball team was not to be denied Tuesday night in its quest for a second consecutive Plymouth-Canton Educational Park title.
The resilient Rocks upended the Cobras, 3-1, to keep possession of the “Park” crown for at least 12 more months.
Playing with a roster that runs just 11 players deep, the Rocks entered the match with 10 healthy players and lost another to an apparent leg injury early on.
Versatility important asset for Rocks
Instead of letting the adversity get the best of them, the Rocks seemed to say: Bring. It. On!
“Canton’s scrappy and the put up a great fight,” said Salem Head Coach Nancy Blaylock. “Because of the injuries, we had to move a lot of kids around, but the girls stepped up which is what you have to do to overcome adversity.
“We have a lot of players who can play everyone on the court. We don’t have a lot of depth numbers wise, but we have several players who don’t just play one position, they can play multiple positions.”
Everyone who played big-time minutes for Salem played well, in particular front-row dynamos Elizabeth Nordstrom and Kamari Wheatley, whose swings were, let’s say, a lot better than what the Detroit Tigers have been showcasing the past few weeks.
Senior and freshman shine for winners
Senior defensive standout Delaney Fillman was outstanding in terms of extending points with all-out hustle, and freshman setter Stella Whirley’s assist rate was impeccable.
“Stella played outstanding,” Blaylock said. “She has not come out of a game one time this year. She’s an amazing kid.”
And right on cue, Whirley approached her coach and thanked her before exiting the gym.
The Rocks also received timely efforts from Alayna Rasmussen, Lydia Rummel, Nya Kuhn and CJ Kiffner.
They’re not going away
Another bright spot for Salem is its youth. Only Fillman and Rummel will be graduating, giving the Rocks a sunny outlook for the future.
The victory improved Salem’s record to 9-3 overall and 3-1 in the robustly-talented KLAA West Division — just one game off the first-place pace set by Brighton.
The Cobras sparkled, too, thanks to stellar efforts from Abigail Valenzuela, whose passing and swings would have earned her a solid A+.
Cobras came to play
Sophomore Maya Turner showed her potential with a string of crushing blocks from the middle of the front row.
Canton junior setter Lily Swan helped keep the match close as did juniors Taylor Besco and Aarohi Patel, who definitely weren’t intimidated as first-year varsity players in a match against their school’s arch rival.
The result left Canton with a 1-3 record in the division and 2-3 mark overall heading into Tuesday’s home showdown against Plymouth.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
