Trotters volleyball improves to 7-0

To say the Plains High Trotters volleyball team is playing well would be like saying the surface of the sun is hot.

Understatements on both subjects. 

For the Trotters, it was another week and more match victories.  They won three matches this past week to run their season mark to 7-0. 

This past week’s victims included St. Regis (3-0), Arlee (3-0) and Darby (3-0) 

Their broom budget is being tested with all the sweeping going on. 

The Trotters began the week with a road trip to St. Regis, where they faced the Lady Tigers.  They jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead in the first set, then padded the lead to 13-3 on their way to a 25-8 set win and a 1-0 match lead. 

The second set was a bit tougher for Plains, they were tied with the Tigers at four, then slowly pulled away on the path to a 25-16 set two victory and a 2-0 match lead.  St. Regis regrouped and battled the Trotters in set three, at one point rallying from a 23-13 deficit to cut the Plains lead to 24-21 before the Trotters closed out the third set, 25-21 and secured the match sweep. 

Coach Kim Lakko said the team tried some new things in the match with St. Regis, including moving Claire Lakko out of her usual setter position and putting her on the front line.  Plains also moved Kali Tuma and Mila Rivinius to be part of the new lineup with good results. 

“They adjusted and performed well,” coach Lakko said. 

Lakko, who is usually the team’s assist leader, topped the Trotters with 11 assists versus St. Regis, and picked up four kills and one block in the match.  Teagan Saner led the team with eight kills and four blocks, while Tuma and Taylor Saner tied for team best with four service aces each.  Aly Roy and Taylor Saner both had six digs for the victors. 

Last Thursday, Plains hosted the winless Arlee Scarlets and picked up another 3-0 match sweep.  They won the first set 25-19, took the second set 25-12 and closed out the sweep with a 25-15 third set win. 

Lakko had a match high 18 assists in the win over the Scarlets, and also topped the team with six digs.  Senior Lexi Deming and Teagan Saner shared the lead in kills with nine each, while Aubree Butcher had a team-best three blocks. 

Plains closed out the successful week Friday night with a road win over Darby, also a 3-0 sweep. 

Darby put up a good fight but was unable to keep up with the Trotters. 

Plains broke away from an early lead of 8-6 and went on to win the first set 25-16 to establish a 1-0 match lead.  They never trailed in the second set, breaking out to a 9-4 lead, then holding off a determined bunch of Lady Tigers as they increased their lead to 22-11.  Plains won the second set 25-13, giving them a 2-0 match lead. 

The third set was the hardest set for Plains, as Darby kept things close, including a 10-10 tie before the Trotters took control and won the set 25-16 to complete their third sweep of the week. 

Teagan Saner had another outstanding match for Plains, leading the team in kills with nine, blocks with 10 and aces, four.  Taylor Saner was the team leader in digs, and Lakko topped the Trotters with 21 assists. 

This week Plains travels to Troy Tuesday afternoon (Oct 1) for a match with the Lady Trojans, then returns home to take on Eureka in a Homecoming week match this Thursday (Oct 3). 

    Three Trotters players converge at the net for a return shot during their match this past week with Arlee, in Plains. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    Trotters head coach Kim Lokke (second from right) goes over the game plan with her team during their win over Arlee this past Thursday in Plains. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)