The Reeths-Puffer volleyball team had to fight hard to take a 3-2 victory over Wyoming on Tuesday in the first round of the O-K Green conference tournament.
The two teams traded victories through the first four sets, with R-P winning the first 25-22, losing the second 25-15, winning the third 25-22 and losing the fourth 25-19.
The fifth and deciding set started out very badly for the Rockets, who trailed 9-1 and appeared on their way to a loss. But they pulled together and won the final 14 points to take the set 15-9 and clinch the match.
Maddie Dyer had some key serves for R-P in the final set while Megan Barmes and Kiera Ketner made some important digs that allowed the Rockets to stay alive and rally.
Beating Wyoming was much more difficult than a few weeks ago, when the Rockets downed the Wolves in straight sets.
Mairyn Peterson, who led the Rockets with 15 kills.
“We struggled with having the right mindset and with executing on our side of the net,” said R-P head coach Justin Birr. “We made lots of errors in serve-receive and attacking that put us behind in every set. Kudos to Wyoming for looking like a much improved team.”
Mairyn Peterson and Maddie Snyder led the R-P offense with 15 and 13 kills, respectively.
Grace Darke directed the offensive traffic with 26 assists while Snyder and Barmes each served five aces.
Defensively, Barmes finished with 16 digs while Snyder added 11.
Reeths-Puffer improved to 7-23-1 overall and 5-3 in conference play.
The Rockets will test themselves against other local teams on Saturday at the Great Muskegon Athletic Association County Tournament at Mona Shores High School.
