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Niles volleyball team too much for Comets
Published 9:30am Tuesday, October 13, 2009By STEVE MORRISON
Niles Daily Star
Coloma’s highly touted Comets volleyball team came to Niles High School Monday expecting to overpower theLady Vikings.
With sisters Cortney and Lindsey Hauch, each over six feet, in the front court, they presented a fearsome wall that appeared to be a huge obstacle to the path of a much smaller Viking squad.
In probably one of the best efforts of her career, senior co-captain Ashley Allison led the Vikes to a hardy comeback, in a 3-1 conquest of the visitors.
Allison was a force in the back, with spectacular digs, and in the front, with her deft rainbows that landed where the Comets couldn’t cover the floor.
Coloma took the first set 25-23, based largely on its height advantage. Niles remained close with kills from Ashley Love and Sarah Ferguson plus a block and spike from Allison, but a solid smash by senior Lindsey Hauch and a tip by her sophomore sister, Courtney, finished off the first set.
To begin the second contest, Niles regrouped and took an early 6-1 lead. A slam by 6-foot-1 junior Rachel Zeider, an ace by Rebecca Lewis, and a stuff followed by a slam from Love led the charge.
Coloma, though, rallied to tie 12-12 with two kills by Lindsey Hauch, one by Coutney Hauch, and a perfect lob by Kayti Veverka. Coloma gained the lead, 16-14, with kills by Lindsey Hauch and Kaitlyn Sink.
After a well-chosen time out, called by Niles coach Linda Martin, the Vikings roared back. A leaping block by Devyn Roberts and Charissa Spears’ reverse return keyed a 5-2 Niles run.
Ferguson’s slider push shot caught the Comets cold for the final point in the 25-19 rebound win.
It was nip and tuck in the third contest. Each team never held more than a three point lead at any stage, and that only lasted briefly when Love launched an ace to make the score 17-15, Niles. Roberts rose up for three straight noteworthy blocks against the towering Hauchs’ missiles.
Another slippery reverse shot by Fergiuson preceeded a rainbow by Allison. A combined block by Zeider and Love won it for Niles at 25-23.
The Comets were not in balance with the alignment of Niles’ stars as the fourth and deciding matchup began. Love’s two kills and an ace by Allison accompanied a creamed kill by Zeider to place the Vikes ahead 5-1.
The Comets made close, but futile rallies. A two-handed push by Zeider and a stealthy tip by Love kept Niles in the lead at 16-12.
A mammoth slam, down the middle, by Spear, started the beginning to the end (18-15, Niles). Roberts’ kill, a back-handed spike by Lewis and Love’s kill set up Ferguson’s game-winning serve that glanced off of the hands of two confused Comet defenders.
The Vikings had completed the comeback with a 25-17 conquest, earning eight points versus the Comets two at the end.
In a post-match interview, Martin expressed her exuberance with her team’s work.
“That’s a fantastic team,” she began, in reference to Coloma. “They and Edwardsburg are very, very tough teams. The Haucks are fantastic. It’s great to have that kind of competition, here, in southwest Michigan.
“Ashley Allison just anchored the defense, completely. She led the team, and she got kills from the back, just control shots. It was just a fantastic total team effort,” Martin reviewed.
Niles junior varsity played well in winning their match 27-25 and 25-21. Sarah Smith, Abigail McKeel, Karissa Loveall, and Jolelyn Dlouhy shared honors with three kills each. Michelle Briand nailed two aces.
Niles varsity statistical leaders
Kills
Ashley Love 11
Rachel Zeider 7
Sarah Ferguson 7
Devyn Roberts 6
Ashley Allison 6
Becca Lewis 6
Digs
Allison 14
Brea Haines 8
Charissa Spear 7
Lewis 6
Aces
Allison 2
Love 2
Assists
Lewis 32
Blocks
Roberts 6
Lewis 5
