THERE’S NO DEBATE: Northville dazzling vs. scrappy Plymouth
Northville junior Kaylyn Tuck rises for a kill.
After careful fact-checking during Tuesday night’s KLAA West debate, er, match between Northville and host Plymouth, the conclusion is crystal clear: The Mustangs are still elite.
Playing against a feisty, unintimidated squad of Wildcats, the Mustangs proved superior, winning in straight sets: 25-8, 25-16 and 25-11.
While Northville’s Reck twins — seniors Molly and Mallory — inflicted a ton of laser-launching kills on their hosts, Head Coach Sarah Lindstrom’s team showed off its depth with no less than six players registering at least one kill.
Craggs played like a Miss Volleyball
Northville’s Miss Volleyball finalist, Ella Craggs was as smooth as silk — whether she was delivering pillow-soft sets or frustrating the ‘Cats with off-speed tips and high-speed missiles when she was the featured piece of the offense.
(To check video highlights from Tuesday’s match, click here.)
Plymouth was powered by senior outside hitter Tara Creekmore, who crushed 10 kills, and sophomore outside hitter Leah McCully, who was impressive throughout the contest.
The Wildcats suffered a setback when talented sophomore middle hitter Dakota Parnell was sidelined by a leg injury in the second set.
Home match ‘Reck’-er
Uplifted by seven kills from Mallory Reck, Northville motored to a 17-3 first-set lead and never looked back despite the best efforts of Creekmore’s offense, and Payton Wandel and Hannah Simko’s ultra-hustling defense.
The second set was knotted at 7-7 before the Mustangs slowly but surely stretched its lead behind strong play from Craggs, Kaylen Tuck, Peyton Lowes and Brooke Feller, among others.
Junior libero Giselle Burlingame anchored the winners’ defense with near-flawless execution on passes and a series of point-saving digs.
Plymouth took the lead in set three on a sizzling kill by Creekmore. However, sparked by stellar serving by Mallory Reck, the Mustangs reeled off 11 straight points to put an orange and black bow on the victory.
The Mustangs’ camaraderie was on full display when reserve Lyza Koski pounded home a kill, drawing ecstatic reactions from her proud teammates.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
(See additional photos below.)
