Plains takes home second win of the season

Danielle Switalski

Homecoming and school spirit were in the air at Plains High School last Thursday with the gym decorated in black and orange and a rowdy crowd accompanying Plains in their second conference win of the season.

Superior and Plains went head to head in a five game match, each team fighting until the end.  In game one Plains had a slow start and couldn’t seem to take the lead against Superior, but managed to get the score tied at 19-19.  Both teams were battling point for point, but Superior won the game, 25-23.

The second game started how the first game ended, with both teams battling point for point, Superior eventually taking the lead 13-10.  Plains could not seem to get past Superior’s blocking guards and a couple sharp spikes and Superior ended up winning game two, 25-18. 

The tables turned in game three and Superior could not seem to take the lead against Plains throughout.  Superior was stuck on the score 15, as Plains kept powering ahead.

“We kept fighting, that’s what it’s about,” said Trotters head coach Jessica Cahala.

Plains won game three, 25-18.

As game four began the crowd was getting louder and louder with fans from each team yelling cheers and stomping the bleachers.   The game was once again back and forth, each team matching the other’s score.  With the score tied 22-22, Plains soared in the lead and won 25-22.

“It was intense,” was all Cahala could say through her pride in the Trotters for taking home their first win. 

Game five was played to 15, and Superior did not take the lead once.  Plains fought to the end and won 15-7.

As for the loss, Superior Head Coach Kinzy Cox said the team’s biggest problem is their finish, as Superior started strong, but then starts to fear losing and the strong finish just isn’t there.

“We stop playing to win and start playing not to lose and that’s how we end up.  The fear of we could lose, we could lose is what hurts us because athletically we are there,” said Cox.

Cox said she is taking it upon her shoulders to build the team’s confidence and help them get over their fear of losing. 

The Trotters’ numbers are getting higher as the season progresses.  With 22 aces total, Heather Earhart and Nikki Kunzer led the team with six a piece.  The team had 25 kills, Kayla Revier had eight and Laruel Danhof had seven.  Revier also led the team in blocks with seven.  Diamond LaDeaux led the team with nine digs and Earhart led the team with 13 assists. 

The Trotters went on to face Florence on Saturday and lost in a three game match, 3-0.  Scores for the game were 10-25, 16-25 and 19-25. 

“Florence is not exceptionally good, we just had a hard time,” said Junior Varsity coach Rose Wagner. 

The Trotters also fought a tough match on Monday night in a makeup game against Big Fork.  The first match was close with Plains losing 24-26.  Plains had a hard time digging up Big Fork’s spikes in game two and three and lost both games 11-25 and 16-25. 

Plains plays Thompson Falls Thursday, October 1. 

Reporter Danielle Switalski can be reached by calling 826-3431 or at reporter@VP-MI.com