Salem plays host Novi tough before falling in district opener
Novi’s Gracie Hoener tips the ball over Salem’s block during Monday’s district match.
Salem’s volleyball team played with its usual fire Monday night in its MHSAA District 21 opening-round match against host Novi.
Unfortunately for the Rocks, they couldn’t quite match the Wildcats’ firepower.
Novi overcame early deficits in all three sets to end Salem’s season with a 25-14, 25-21, 25-17 triumph. The hosts advanced to Wednesday’s 7 p.m. district semifinal match against Northville (33-2), the No. 2-ranked team in Division 1.
Now 24-11 (according to MaxPreps.com), the Wildcats trailed the charged-up Rocks 6-3 in the opening set before going on a swinging spree, stringing together eight straight points to take the lead for good.
Earley-fueled rally
The rally was sparked by blazing kills from Izzy Earley, Alli Villanueva, Gracie Hoener and Nellie Alves de Sa Freire — with three service aces from Earley thrown into the mix.
Salem was powered early by its sensational one-two front-row tandem of Elizabeth Nordstrom and Ashriya Sunkara.
Undaunted, the Rocks built an 11-3 second-set lead thanks largely to the play of sophomore CJ Kiffner, who contributed two aces and a kill. Salem led 17-16 two-thirds of the way through the stanza before the Wildcats ignited the after-burners and finished the set with a 9-4 run.
Novi’s depth was the difference
Salem’s third-set lead was a modest 3-2 edge, but the Rocks ultimately succumbed to the elite blocking of Alex Leggett and Earley. Villanueva also shined in the final set.
Arguably the most-sensational point of the match unfolded with Novi leading 16-10. Novi libero Cecilia Regoli went horizontal in front of her team’s bench to register a Sportscenter-caliber dig. The point ended on a block by Earley.
The Rocks’ stellar season ended with a 15-8-3 record (according to MHSAA.com). Among the highlights were a championship effort in the Belleville Invitational and its first Plymouth-Canton Educational Park title in at least five seasons.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
