It wasn’t the beginning of the game against North Farmington last Thursday that mattered – it was the ending.
The Clarkston Varsity Volleyball team recovered from their first 25-21 loss to the Lady Raiders with a fight in them.
As the North Farmington slowly climbed to grab the lead in the second game, a few key hits from Rachel Dickerson and Katie Chadwell knocked their opponents back down as Clarkston went 25-21.
“We were positive,” Sarah Bullen said about what helped the team turn things around. “We had to get our nerves out during the first game. Personally I hit a few out but someone came back and made up for it. We got pumped up. Our attitude was really good.”
The positive attitude helped as they went into the third game. The teams battled point for point. Clarkston began to pull up in the score while keeping up their defense against the Lady Raiders. A combination of blocks and hits kept Clarkston in the lead until they won, 25-16.
They kept going to win the fourth and final game, 25-18.
“North Farmington is a great team,” said Coach Kelly Avenall. “They have a great defense. They have a couple of good hitters. We played sloppy and despite that we were able to pull out a win. I was happy to see it.”
Dickerson had 27 kills during the game. Brianna Frakes had five aces and 40 assists and Emily Popp had 24 digs.
“It may give them a little confidence,” said Avenall. “They know I am frustrated with them. If anything it tells them there is still a lot we need to work on if we want to push as far as we want to. It proves to them we aren’t there yet.”
The girls opened the week with Oxford. They head to Troy on Thursday and follow it with the Marian Elite tournament on Saturday.
“It is a pretty big week,” said Avenall. “Anytime you win it is going to give you momentum.”
“We are staying positive,” Bullen added.