Last Thursday, after a loss in a conference match, Reeths-Puffer volleyball coach Justin Birr said his team needed to show more competitiveness, regardless of injuries to key players or other challenges.
The shorthanded Rockets apparently got the message, because they put up a real fight in three of the four matches they played on Saturday at the Mona Shores Invitational.
The Rockets lost all four matches, but the compete level was definitely there, as the final scores show.
Alissa Klopp
In pool play, R-P fell to North Muskegon 24-26, 20-25 and Kalamazoo Central 21-25, 23-25. In bracket play they fell to Western Michigan Christian in a long battle, 24-26, 26-24, 7-15.
The worst loss of the day came against Grand Rapids Catholic, 12-25, 13-25.
“The results speak for themselves with how competitive we are and how close we are to winning these matches,” Birr said. “GR Catholic beat us fair and square, but we were just a few plays or a couple less mistakes away from beating North Muskegon, Kalamazoo Central and WMC. At the beginning of this week, I would have predicted a much different outcome, but then injuries happened.
“I am proud of how we played defensively. If we can combine today's defense with an improved offense, I truly believe we are 3-1 against the same opponents. Although it’s encouraging to say that, it's also frustrating to come up short.”
Carlee Bowen
Alissa Klopp and Mairyn Peterson had 22 and 14 kills on the day, respectively, for Reeths-Puffer. Klopp also served six aces.
Defensively, Carlee Bowen had a standout day with 32 digs while Maddy Dyer added 19.
The Rockets are now 8-14 on the season. They will host a very good Jenison team in O-K Silver conference action on Tuesday.