Goodrich’s varsity volleyball team bounced back from a loss in Genesee Area Conference play to remain in the hunt for the league title.
The visiting Martians defeated Genesee 25-11, 25-4, 25-9. Goodrich improved to 7-2 in the GAC Red Division and 16-14-5 overall. The Martians are currently in third place in the GAC Red, trailing LakeVille (9-2) and Mt. Morris (8-2).
Senior Alyssa Bertrand was perfect in setting during the match. Seniors Tara Garman and Katie Birch combined for 20 kills. The momentum of the match was turned to Goodrich’s favor during the second game behind perfect serving by Bertrand, Garman, and junior Ashley Short who combined for a total of 20-for-20 serving.
Garman was 14-for-14 serving with 10 aces and four digs, and was 4-for-4 passing and 22-for-24 attacking with 14 kills and two blocks. Bertrand completed all 20 of her serves while also going 6-for-6 in attacking and 40-for-40 in setting. She also had 14 assists.
Birch completed all 12 of her serves and was 12-for-13 attacking, while Short completed all eight of her serves.
The Martians had a setback four days earlier in a home meet against Byron, losing 25-22, 22-25, 9-25, 17-25.
Goodrich beat Byron in game one of the matchup. Coach Richard Sirna said that was a hard-fought game behind great team play. In game two, it was a seesaw battle with the lead changing often.
In game three, the Martians could not get a pass up and only made it through six rotations. Game four was a struggle for Goodrich and they never held the lead.
Sirna said the girls played as a team in the first two games of the match, but lost focus and control in game three and were never able to get back the momentum going into game four.
‘The players have to look deep inside themselves and step up to the plate in order to win matches against good teams like Byron,? Sirna said. ‘Our next tough match is with LakeVille (Feb. 15) and the team better bring their intensity and focus to the match.?
Garman was 8-of-10 serving, 13-of-13 passing and 48-of-53 attacking, with five digs, 25 kills and five blocks. Bertrand was 12-of-12 serving, 11-of-11 attacking and 91-of-93 setting with 14 digs and 21 assists.
Birch was 11-of-12 serving, 11-of-12 passing and 25-of-28 attacking with 11 digs and six kills. Short was 17-of-20 passing with seven digs, while Sarah Sweet was 7-of-7 serving with 15 digs.