Mavericks sweep Howell, fall to Brighton in four

Huron Valley Milford split two matches in Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) West Division play last week, including a loss to the division leader.

The Mavericks began their week on Tuesday, Oct. 4 with a straight-set victory at Howell, 25-14, 25-14, 25-15.

Ashlyn Lowe was a perfect 20-for-20 serving with 2 aces while Erin Winn led the Mavs in digs with 13.

Dagny Stark also had 10 kills while Rachel Kopf had 9 kills and Jonna Villemure led the Mavs in assists with 29.

“This was a very good win for the team. We have been working hard all year and have been waiting to put together a complete match and I think we did that,” said Milford Head Coach Jeffrey Stark. “One of the team’s goals is to hold opponents to less then 45 points in the match and tonight Howell only scored 43. That is one success they will enjoy.”

Milford then traveled to face first-place Brighton on Thursday, Oct. 6 as the Bulldogs had an undefeated record in division play coming into the match.

The Mavs got off to a promising start by winning the first set, 25-18, but the Bulldogs woke up and Milford fell in the next three sets, 12-25, 18-25, 20-25.

Stark led Milford with 8 kills and 5 blocks while Karly Shorr and Rachel Kopf combined for another 12 kills and 9 blocks.

Lowe and Winn led Milford with 19 digs each while Katie Kamba was 14-for-14 serving with an ace and Jonna Villemure had 25 assists.

“We came out very strong, executing everything we had practiced and it all worked, but in sets two, three and four our kids got down and went back to playing a style of volleyball we call vanilla because it’s plain and boring,” Stark said.

Milford is now 13-10-2 overall and 5-3 in KLAA West Division play, while Brighton is a perfect 8-0 in division play.

The Mavs hosted Hartland on Tuesday, Oct. 11 and will play at Pinckney on Thursday, Oct. 13 to finish division play.