Laingsburg ends strong volleyball season
John Raffel
Sports Scene
Laingsburg was ranked ninth in the state for girls volleyball when its season ended on Nov. 15 with a 3-0 verdict to Bronson in the state quarterfinals.
The Wolfpack and coach Tennille Whitmore posted its first district crown on Nov. 10 with a 25-15, 25-18, 25-14 upset win in the Class C regional title game over No. 3 ranked Kent City. The Wolfpack was led in that match by Maya Ferland with nine kills and Erin Cooper with eight. Kenedy Franks had 37 assists while Silvia Strieff had four aces and Alex Randall two blocks. Sophie Stieff had seven digs.
In the quarterfinals, Laingsburg lost to Bronson 25-20, 25-15, 25-16. Laingsburg’s final record was 40-15.
“The girls came together as a group,” Whitmore said. “We were hoping to walk away with great memories and life lessons that they’ll take also beyond the court.”
Expectations were definitely met, Whitmore said.
“We talked about what we thought we were capable of and focused on what it would take to get there,” Whitmore said. “They focused on that … and where we thought the season would eventually take us.”
In the quarterfinals, “I don’t think we played our best game,” Whitmore said. “I think we were a little bit more hesitant than we typically are. I don’t think we played badly but it wasn’t our top game.”
Erin Cooper, a senior outside hitter, has been a part of the team since she was a sophomore. Maya Ferland, a middle hitter, has been a varsity player since she was a freshman.
“Erin was an all-around contributor,” Whitmore said. “She had a big jump serve for us. She was able to support us in the back row offensively. In the front row as a left side hitter, she was not only aggressive but pretty smart (in knowing where to put the ball).”
Ferland was also an all-around player but was strong in the middle.
“She had a big block that took other teams out of their offense,” Whitmore said.
Franks in the past has been a defensive specialist. But this year, she stepped into a new role as setter.
“She used her quickness and athleticism to get her hands on balls that most other girls would have been able to,” Whitmore said.
Strieff was also a strong all-around player for Laingsburg.
“She had an aggressive serve,” Whitmore said.