Close call ends Chiefs’ comeback
Published 10:57 pm Thursday, September 22, 2011
A close call in game four ended Dowagiac’s comeback attempt Thursday in its Wolverine Conference volleyball match against Comstock.
The Colts beat the Chieftains, 27-25, 25-15, 26-28, 29-27, with the match coming to an end after Melina Kokales’ kill for Comstock was ruled in to conclude game four and the match.
“To me it looked out,” said Dowagiac coach Sara Lawrence about the match’s final point. “My whole line told me that too. But, I’m not going to argue with the refs.”
Dowagiac had chances before the ending to win game four and force a game five. The Chieftains were unable to hold on to a 22-19 lead and had game point at 25-24, but couldn’t deliver key points.
“(Dowagiac) definitely gave us a run for our money,” said Comstock coach Amanda Rizor. “What it really came down to is that we were able to finish. We practice those stressful moments.”
At the start, it appeared the Colts would have few stressful moments as Comstock jumped out to a 10-2 lead in game one. But Dowagiac fought back to take a 20-18 lead after getting a kill from Whitney Donaldson. The game would stay close with their being six ties during the final 14 points. Comstock would score the final two points and win the first game.
Lawrence wasn’t happy about her team’s four service errors in game one.
“Too many serves out,” the Chieftains coach said.
Comstock would carry its momentum at the end of game one into game two. The Colts never trailed in a 25-15 win in game two.
“We didn’t cover the whole court and got tired and slowed down,” Lawrence said about her team’s play in the first two games. “That pretty much cost us. In the second game, we went back to our old ways of not talking and moving.”
Game three featured 13 ties with the biggest lead being four points, which was owned by Dowagiac at 13-9 and 14-10. Comtock rallied to take a 22-19 lead before Dowagiac staged a comeback to force a great finish. The Chieftains scored the final three points of the match with the hosts final three points coming on two kills from Carly Polomcak and a service ace from Kristyn Turner.
“We came back in the third and fourth game,” Lawrence said. “I’m proud of that. This is the best we’ve played in awhile.”
Polomcak had nine kills and Donaldson totaled eight to lead Dowagiac offensively.
Comstock d. Dowagiac, 27-25, 25-15, 26-28, 29-27
Kills: Melina Kokales (C) 11, Brittany Cross (C) 6, Jamie Scarberry (D) 5, Natalie Miles (C) 4, Carly Polomcak (D) 9, Whitney Donaldson (D) 8 Brittany Williams (D) 4.
Blocks: Scarberry (C) 2, Donaldson (D) 2.
Aces: Scarberry (C) 7, Cross (C) 6, Miles (C) 3, Amanda Clapper (C) 2, Kokales (C) 2, Mikayla Hicks (C) 2, Donaldson (D) 3, Rachel Bailey (D) 2.
Digs: Amber Tafil (C) 11, Cross (C) 6, Hicks (C) 5, Miles (C) 3, Jessica Herthoge (D) 8, Polomcak (D) 7, Hunter Goins (D) 5, Bailey (D) 3, Rachel McLaughlin (D) 3, Kristyn Turner (D) 3.