The Superior Central Cougars are getting hot at the right time of the year, winning a decisive 3-1 match at Big Bay de Noc on Thursday, Oct. 19.
The Cougars started off with multiple good runs, winning the first and second set 25-15 each. Senior Alice Hancock recorded four of her seven kills in those sets, helped by strong performances from Calla Porter and Ruth Johnson.
“It was a good win. The first couple sets we played really well, but the third set, they took that one from us when we started getting sloppy,” SC Head Coach Kris Bray said.
Big Bay came roaring back halfway through that third set, taking advantage of the Cougars’ recklessness. Down 15-7, Black Bear Head Coach Angie Carlie called timeout and reminded the team that it was the last time they would play at home this season.
“I told them they have to want it if they want to keep going or they’re going to be done. Our two seniors are not ready to be done and that gave them a reality check,” she said.
After the time out, the Black Bears scored 11 straight points behind server Macy Peterson to take the lead. The home team won the third set 25-23.
But in the fourth and final set, an increasingly positive statistic for the Cougars went their way: service accuracy. After shooting an already solid 87 percent accuracy on serves, SC put 24 of 25 serves into the field of play, led by junior Sammy Johnson, who had half of the Cougars’ six aces in the fourth set.
Bray said that this is something the team has been working on for a while.
“We practice it a lot. As a team, we’re serving like 90 percent, so very few errors, and that makes a huge difference,” she said. “If you keep your serve, you’re in control. If you’re in control, you can win the game, but if you’re backtracking, you’re on your heels.”
Hancock led the Cougars with 4 aces, 7 kills, 2 assists and 13 digs. Sammy Johnson had 5 aces, 5 kills, 1 solo block, 1 assist and 7 digs with Kylie Steur adding 5 aces, 4 kills, 1 block assist, 1 assist and 4 digs.
Superior Central hosted both Rapid River and Munising after deadline of this week’s edition. They will play next week in the District 99 Tournament at Superior Central.
