(Chelsea Update would like to thank coach Laura Cleveland for the information in this story.)
The Chelsea varsity volleyball team improved their record to 30-5-2 as they claimed a third consecutive tournament title this weekend.
On Tuesday, Sept. 23, the Bulldogs won an SEC league match against the visiting Ypsilanti Grizzlies 3-0.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, the team traveled to the Lake Fenton Invitational, a tournament with a highly competitive field that included Notre Dame Prep, the defending state champions and current #1 team in Class B.
The Bulldogs finished first in their pool with wins over Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and Genesee, as well as a split with Haslett. After defeating Lake Fenton 2-0 in the quarterfinal, the team got a 2-1 victory over Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard in the Semifinal to earn a spot in the tournament final against Notre Dame Prep. With Chelsea ranked #2 going into the weekend, this set the stage for an exciting championship match featuring the top two ranked teams in Class B.
ND Prep handily won the first set 15-25 with a barrage of attacks from Miss Volleyball candidate Katherine Carlson, as well as a tremendous display of defense.
In the second game, the Bulldogs got off to an 8-0 start, aided by excellent serves from Rylee Rosentreter. Notre Dame Prep came storming back, however, and took the lead at 19-18.
Then came the turning point in the match.
During a timeout with the Bulldogs trailing 18-20, the girls came together and committed to remaining positive and giving it their all. At 20-20, Kylie Frank made an amazing dig on Carlson that was a huge momentum changer, as the Bulldogs converted the dig into a point that gave Chelsea a 21-20 lead that they would not relinquish, winning 25-22 and then handily winning the deciding game three 15-10.
Player stats:
- Emma Hess – 43 kills, 56 digs
- Rylee Rosentreter – 43 kills, 50 digs
- Mary Kelleher – 146 assists, 38 digs
- Morgan Matusik – 25 kills
- Taylor King – 16 kills
- Kylie Frank – 60 digs
