The Lady Brits’ volleyball team fought off Adrian College in MIAA play last Wednesday in a five set match that ended in victory. Albion now has a record of 6-5 in the MIAA and 13-8 overall for the season.
After losing the first two sets 15-25 and 24-26, the Britons fought hard to make the next three games count. Caryn Miller, Farmington Hills sophomore, served three consecutive points that were followed by another three served by Morgan Watler, Novi senior. The Adrian Bulldogs committed several hitting errors, which allowed Lauren Forshee, Sterling Heights junior, to serve an ace.
“I was really proud of our team for refusing to lose,” Miller said. “We really came back strong and didn’t let up after the second game.”
Watler, Forshee and Miller kept the momentum alive in the fourth set with a long service run containing an ace, a kill and three consecutive points with an ace respectively. Adrian responded to the Briton’s attacks with a ball handling error and a hitting error.
“We’ve improved so much from last year,” said Anita Partyka, Washington sophomore. “We’re winning a lot of big games and fighting in every match…We’re working together and putting our hearts into it.”
A tie with the Bulldogs in the fifth set at 11-11 was broken by Partyka and Emilee Goralski, Rochester senior with consecutive kills for points. Alexis Brumm, Troy junior, finished off the match with a kill.
“We stayed really focused,” Miller said. “Late in the fifth game we had a really long, exhausting volley and we ended up winning the point. That was the turning point of the game; Adrian lost all momentum and we dominated the last few points.”
In addition to the win on Wednesday, the team also boasts a MIAA Defensive Player of the week. Charlene Stolarz, Muskegon first-year, made 24 digs in the game against the Bulldogs, helping the Britons to win in the fifth game. Stolarz has played in each of the 21 matches this season, served 15 aces, and leads the team with 362 digs.
“I feel like we have had a really great season so far,” Brumm said. “The team has a great chemistry this season and we’ve all been working extremely hard to reach our goals and win games. We’ve had our low points, (and) we overcame them, learned from them and improved ourselves. Coming back from being down two sets and then winning in the end is one of the most amazing feelings in the entire world.”
The Lady Britons continue MIAA play with hosting Alma College on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and Olivet College on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
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