Wolves lose to No. 1 Leland
BATTLE CREEK – Carney-Nadeau’s run in the MHSAA volleyball playoffs ended here Friday losing to top ranked Leland in the Division 4 semifinals, 25-21, 25-14, 25-16.
The Wolves were playing even with Leland in the opening set and C-N coach Steve Kedsch said the talented hitters and overall team quickness of Leland was the difference in the match.
“We were playing with them and scoring on them and the first set was tied 21-21,” said Kedsch.
“We hung with them for awhile and their right side hitter hurt us quite a bit. The quickness of the game with them is something we don’t see in the U.P. and is hard to duplicate.”
” It was a gutsy performance by the girls, they represented the U.P. well. A lot of people and officials came up to me after the game and complimented our team”.
After taking the close first set, Leland jumped out to a huge lead in the second set and were up 18-6 before Kedsch called a time out hoping to turn the tables on the top ranked team.
“We were down 18-6 in the second set and I called a timeout and challenged the girls to out- score them the rest of the set,” Kedsch said.
“And they did out score them 8-7, and I was hoping that would carry over to the third set. They (Leland) pulled away with a big scoring run in the third and we were chasing from there. When we were attacking, that is when we were scoring points”.
Carney-Nadeau’s season had many highlights and Kedsch said the program has had success the past three years winning districts , and the roots of the volleyball program have been building for many years.
“These girls have won three district titles in a row and this group of kids started playing together in the sixth grade,” he said.
“Two seniors played on the varsity as eighth graders. And this year winning the quarterfinals and playing in the semifinals is a first for our program and we are very proud of the team.”
In the other semifinal, No. 2 ranked Mendon defeated No. 4 Grand Rapids Southfield Christian 3-0 and will face Leland at 10 a.m. today in the championship match.
Coach Kedsch looked back at the season and had high praise for his team.
“This was an unbelievable year and the team improved so much during the year,” he said.
“This team was mentally tough and we always would keep fighting back and did today and all season.”
Summary:
Taylor Kedsch. five kills, two aces and 10 digs; Alanis Harris, 17 digs; Talisha McCoullough, 14 assists; Layla Blahnik-Thoune three kills, three aces, four digs; Sandra Boulton four kills; Ashlyn Harris three blocks, three kills, and Liana Blahnik three blocks, three kills.