BACK AND FORTH: Westwood Outlasts Gladstone
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GLADSTONE---The Westwood Patriots and Gladstone Braves went back and forth all night long before the Patriots picked up a road victory over the Braves, 3-2.
The scores were 20-25, 25-15, 24-26, 25-15, and 15-8.
"It's going to be a happy bus ride home," Westwood Coach Tamara Johnson said with a smile. "It was very, very close, and I'm so proud of our girls for sticking it out and not giving up on themselves. That has been a struggle for us the last couple of games. I'm so proud of them."
Gladstone, looking for its first win of the season, got off to a fast start, taking command of the first game and winning fairly easily, 25-20. But the Patriots, also looking for their first win, came through in the second set, leading from wire to wire and winning, 25-15.
"We've really been working on our passes, and I think our passing improved (from previous matches)," Gladstone Coach Averi Kanyuh said. "We were able to set the ball, and 'Tin (Kenzingtin Pepin) was able to get some kills for us, as well as Rylee (Gerow) in the front row.
The third set was close all the way, and Westwood had a shot to win it, leading 24-23. But a serve into the net kept the Braves alive, and then Gladstone won the next two points to take a 2-1 lead in the match, winning the game, 26-24.
The Patriots bounced back again to win the fourth game, 25-15, forcing a deciding fifth game. That game was tied, 6-6, before Westwood outscored Gladstone, 9-2, to seal the deal.
"I think we just slowly lacked communication toward the end," Kanyuh said. "We have to work on lots of communication, and keeping our energy up."
"(The girls) were getting good touches on the ball,"Johnson said. "Keeping their feet moving and getting good touches on the ball. Tara Aldetron did awesome for me tonight. She stepped in because another girl wasn't able to play tonight. I am so, so proud of her. She really stepped up tonight."
TUESDAY'S OTHER UPPER PENINSULA VOLLEYBALL SCORES
Marquette 3, Gwinn 0
Calumet 3, Ishpeming 0
Negaunee 3, Hancock 0
Munising 3, North Central 0
North Dickinson 3, Stephenson 0
Bark River-Harris 3, Norway 0
Forest Park 3, West Iron County 1
