×

Alpena’s volleyball team falls to Cadillac in final home game of regular season

News Photo by Leslianne Johns The Wildcats celebrate after a long rally that resulted in a point for the team during Tuesday’s game in Alpena. The Cadillac Viking ended up on top, defeating the Wildcats in three sets.

ALPENA — The Alpena Wildcats faced the Cadillac Vikings in their final home game, ultimately falling in three sets with scores of 13-25, 16-25, and 14-25.

In the first set, Alpena trailed early and encountered communication issues that impacted their rhythm. After a timeout, the team improved its coordination, allowing them to better contend with Cadillac’s plays.

Coach Kolby Andrews noted that the timeout allowed the players to “make some judgment calls,” adding that it comes from “playing the game” and gaining experience to read it more effectively.

One of the recurring struggles for Alpena was hand placement during receives, which affected their defense against Cadillac’s serves. Despite this, the Wildcats demonstrated a strong ability to judge the ball’s position near the court boundaries, a skill Andrews attributed to the team’s growing familiarity with the game.

“As they get more and more experience, they see the game happen a little bit slower,” he said.

News Photo by Leslianne Johns Ashlyn Gray receives the ball during Tuesday night’s volleyball game in Alpena. The Wildcats lost to the Cadillac Vikings in three sets.

The team’s seniors, Reaghan Fitzpatrick, Olivia Ryan, and Kiera Prue, each made impactful spikes, contributing to the Wildcats’ efforts on offense.

Andrews remarked that these seniors have been “a good influence on the rest of the girls all season,” with younger players looking up to them for their calm and steady presence on the court.

A highlight of the match occurred during a lengthy rally that culminated in a point for Alpena.

Additionally, Laura Poli provided a crucial save late in the third set to delay Cadillac’s victory. However, a final tip over the net from Cadillac sealed the Wildcats’ defeat.

Reflecting on the season’s progression, Andrews acknowledged the team’s growth in focusing on their strengths. He emphasized the importance of leaning into what the team does best, especially as they prepare for the upcoming district match.

News Photo by Leslianne Johns Madelynn Cameron and Grace Cameron block the ball against the Cadillac Vikings on Tuesday in their final home game. The team lost in three sets.

“We’ve improved on some things that I think are gonna help us stay in matches,” he said, expressing hope that “the team we’ve been waiting for all year shows up.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today