Lady Hornets Stung By Bedford in Volleyball District

TEMPERANCE — A young Saline varsity volleyball team's came to an end at the hands of Bedford in district action Thursday night, as the Lady Hornets were swept 25-17, 25-17 and 25-20 at Bedford High School.

With just three seniors — Marissa Owen, Mckenzie Schumborg and Jessi Markey — the Lady Hornets battled hard, but just could couldn't handle the the offensive arsenal of a much more experienced opponent that also had the benefit of playing in front of a large and vocal home crowd.

The Lady Hornets left Bedford teary-eyed, but Shea said she was proud of her team.

"It really sucks, having to end end your season on a loss. It's never easy, especially playing the way we played tonight," said Shea. "We should walk out of here tonight with our heads high."

Junior Mackenzie Shand had 15 kills and six blocks and was dominant at the net at times, despite the presense of Bedford's 6'2 middle hitter, Emily Blank. Schumborg had seven kills and 16 digs. Libero Natalie Sheridan had 26 digs.

Saline spent nearly the entire match playing catchup. But for a 1-0 lead to start game two and a 3-2 lead in game three, the Kicking Mules played from ahead the entire evening.

The Hornets looked a little tight to open the evening, and after a couple of shots into the net and miscommunications, they were down 6-2 early. But the Hornets settled in. Kills by Jess Wolma, Schumborg and Shand closed the gap to 9-7. Bedford went on a 6-1 run to take a 15-8 lead, but the Hornets closed the gap with Owen at the line. She fired two aces and Shand had a tip during a five-point run to make it 15-13. The two teams traded points and Bedford led 17-15 when the Kick Mules pulled away on a Hornet shot into the net, a block by Blank, and a net violation. Blank fired two aces during a four-point late in the first set.

Saline opened the first game with a kill by Shand but fell behind 3-1. Early in the match, Ani Agbabian, Wolma and Owen recorded kills as the Hornets kept pace and were down 8-7. Bedford went on a six point run that featured a block by Emily Williams and kill by Taylor Foster. Down 17-9, Saline scored six of the game's next 10 points, thanks in part to a tip and kill by Wolma,  to make it 21-15, but that was as close as they came.

Saline took a 3-2 lead early in the third game after a kill by Shand and top by Owen. But Bedford scored eight of the game's next nine points to open a 10-4 lead.

Down 12-7, the Hornets pushed back. Schumborg and Owen had kills. Shand's tip found the Bedford floor. Then Shand found the floor with a block and a kill, tying the set at 12.

But Bedford snuffed out the rally. Williams ended it with a kill and then Bedford tacked on four straight points to take a 17-12. Down 23-15, with their backs to the wall, the Hornets mounted one last challenge, hoping to repay Bedford for a late September come-from-behind win at Saline High School. After a long serve by the Mules, Taylor Whitling fired an ace. Wolma and Owen had back-to-back blocks, and then an Owen tip found the floor, cutting Bedford's lead to 23-20. But run came to an end and then Bedford freshman Nicole Rightnowar closed the match with a kill.

Blank finished with 18 kills, two blocks and seven digs for Bedford. Williams had 15 kills.

Shea said that the Bedford offensive attack was deeper than Saline's. But, she said, her serve receive and defense handled it very well.

"I thought our defense and serve receive was solid. What more could I want from our back row? Or from our libero? At the beginning of the year, I wasn't sure who was going to be wearing that jersey but Natalie Sheridan did a fabulous job," Shea said. "I thought Mckenzie Schumborg did a fabulous job and left it all on the floor."

In general, Shea said she was proud of a team composed of three seniors, seven juniors and three sophomores.

"I am really proud of them." Shea said. "I had a lot of newbies out there playing in their first district and playing tight because they didn't want to let down their teammates and let down their seniors."

As for her seniors, Shea said they responded to her challenge to be leaders during districts.

"I challenged them on senior leadership and I really felt they gave it to me," Shea said. "They were trying the best they could."

She called Schumborg a "great competitor" who battled all season. Owen, she said, was the "heart of the team," who will bring her great hands and setting ability with her to Hillsdale College. Markey gave the team a big hitter on the right side.