Knights win one at home, take fifth at tournament

Walled Lake Northern picked up its first victory at home this season with a three-game victory over Waterford Kettering, 25-18, 25-17, 28-26 on Thursday, Sept. 20.

Peyton Lang led the Knights (11-5-2 overall, 2-2 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division) with 16 kills, while Courtney Sullivan had 10 kills and 3 blocks.

Katie Simon also had 13 assists. Gabrielle Bauer had 15 digs and 2 aces. Melissa Griffiths added 14 digs, while Natalie Giudici had 10 assists and 2 aces.

“Peyton Lang and Courtney Sullivan were difficult to contain,” said Northern Head Coach Gus Dumlao. “Peyton is a very powerful hitter and also places the ball well. Courtney Sullivan is very dynamic and athletic. She also has a wide selection of shots, and with a quick and power arm swing, she’s very hard to block. Although I have mentioned only two players, everyone on the team is making real contributions to the team’s success.”

Kettering fell to 1-4 in KLAA North play.

The Knights then traveled to the Portage Northern Varsity Volleyball Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 22 and went 2-1-1 in pool play by tying Schoolcraft (20-25, 25-20), defeating Grandville Unity Christian (25-21, 25-9) and Harper Creek (25-16, 25-13), and falling to Wayland (19-25, 23-25).

Northern then advanced to the Gold playoff bracket, but fell in the quarter-finals to Battle Creek St. Phillips, 18-25, 15-25, and finished tied for fifth overall in the 21-team tournament.

Lang had a team high 45 kills, followed by Sullivan with 21 kills and Bauer with 15 kills. Simon also had 57 assists and 7 aces, while Giudici added 30 assists and Griffiths had 51 digs.

“Facing a strong team such as Battle Creek St. Phillips challenges us in a positive way. The team continues to find ways how to score and defend against a team of this caliber,” Dumlao said.

The Knights played at Huron Valley Lakeland on Monday, Sept. 24 after press time, and will host Walled Lake Western tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 27.