“Honestly, it was our defense,” said Churchill volleyball chief midway hitter Jessica Stroud. “We have very flattering defensive players. (Senior libero) Lindsey Graciak had some great plays where if she wasn’t there, it would have been a unusual game.” The Livonia Stevenson auxiliary called it “hustle.” “Churchill has always been a jostling team,” Stevenson trainer Kelly Graham said. “You’re timely if a ball lands without them tender it.” Regardless of terminology, it was agreed upon that Churchill’s crush coverage was the discrepancy in its 25-21, 25-22, 25-9 success Tuesday night.
The Chargers, on its family court, captured the inaugural Livonia Public Schools Volleyball City Invitational with the win. Earlier in the day, Churchill defeated Livonia Franklin 25-13, 25-6, 25-9 and Stevenson defeated Franklin 27-25, 25-15, 25-17. In the final, Churchill (5-2) jumped out to a 6-0 a go first in the basic set and extended that to 22-12. Stevenson reeled eight upfront points with Meg Iafrate serving to eschew to manage to 22-20.
Churchill regained drive with a span of effectual kills by Kristen Nalecz and Cierra Yetts, and took the ahead set. Iafrate “had a duo difficult serves and our blocks came alive,” Graham said. The more recent set was close, too, but Churchill never trailed after falling behind 2-1.
Churchill took an 8-0 pre-eminence in the third set, which was never in doubt. For the match, Nalecz and Sarah Suppelsa paced Churchill with 14 and eight kills, respectively, and Katelyn Matz had three aces. Matz was the server behind the Cougars’ big rallies to encouragement the in the first place and third sets. Stevenson (4-8) got five kills from Brooke Knochel and four apiece from Iafrate and Kaylee McGrath. Franklin (5-8), in its two matches combined, was led by Liz Hollaway with seven kills and nine assists, Amanda Borieo and Chelsea Williams with six kills each and Katherine Zurenko and Nicole Williamson with three aces each.
The match was organized because the configuration of the Kensington Lakes Activities Association this summer put Churchill and Stevenson in discrete divisions, and they otherwise wouldn’t have played each other this fall. “These town rivalries are the ones you want to keep,” said Churchill teacher Mark Grenier. “Having a borough championship brings the community together, no matter what of wins or losses. It also makes it very competitive, and very meaningful.” More volleyball Birmingham Roeper def.
Southfield Christian, 25-13, 25-18, 21-25, 26-24: Senior Stephanie Holloman had 17 kills with three blocks for Roeper (1-1, 1-1 MIAC). Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood def. Hamtramck, 25-10, 25-13, 25-20: Sophomore Kaley Chelios had nine kills, five aces and six digs and lower Christay Parks had seven kills for Cranbrook (7-3). Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy def.
Detroit Weston Academy, 25-17, 20-25, 25-9, 25-16: Junior Liliana Perez had seven assists and seven kills and older Rebecca Ortega had 11 normal usage points and eight kills for Cesar Chavez (4-0). Lutheran Westland def. Macomb Lutheran North, 25-8, 25-15, 25-19: Westland’s Becca Resenes had 13 kills and three blocks and Avi Gieschen had 17 digs.
Junior Rebecca Trosper had six kills and subordinate Amy Wise had 10 assists for North (12-6-2). Pontiac Central def. Southfield Lathrup, 17-25, 25-14, 10-25, 25-16, 15-11: Junior Jaime Dallo had 12 assists, 11 serving points and four aces and lesser Brittany Early had four digs and eleven putting into play points for Southfield Lathrup (1-3). Rochester Hills Stoney Creek def.
North Farmington 25-17, 25-19, 25-20: Kelsey Wright paced Stoney Creek (7-7) with 22 digs. Southfield def. Hazel Park, 25-17, 25-20, 25-16: Sophomore Amanda Love had 11 kills and 10 aces and elder Brianna Davis had four aces and three kills for Southfield (5-5). Walled Lake Northern def.
Waterford Mott, 25-14, 25-11, 25-19: Amanda Yerke had nine kills and Blaire Mayrand went 32-33 serving and had 2 aces for Northern (12-3-3). Senior Laura Stamp had 10 kills and 10 digs for Mott (2-6-1). West Bloomfield def. Farmington Hills Harrison, 25-16, 25-15, 25-16: Senior Lauren Deluyck had seven kills and ranking Emily Grant had nine kills for West Bloomfield (9-5-1).
Soccer Auburn Hills Avondale 5, Birmingham Seaholm 3: Senior Steve Bohne had two goals and an second and superior Brett Lentz scored two goals for Avondale (8-1-1). Bloomfield Hills Lahser 1, Bloomfield Hills Andover 0: Sophomore Jake Landis netted a aspiration inopportune in the support half and Gunner Littrup got the shutout for Lahser (5-3-2). Canton 5, Westland John Glenn 0: Senior Josh Hurst scored a hat trick, and major Scott Zech scored the other two goals for Canton (6-3-3). Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett 2, Livonia Clarenceville 1: Senior Jack Fisher scored two second-half goals, including the game-winner with five minutes left, for Liggett (5-3). Livonia Churchill 5, Livonia Franklin 0: Ettienne Lussiez and Drew Sieber each had a objective and an promote for Churchill (6-2).
Livonia Stevenson 3, Northville 1: Senior Nick Anagnostou scored two goals, including the winner, and senior Kendal Snow scored a purpose for Stevenson (7-1-2).
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