Lahser outlasts Adams in five-game marathon
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
BLOOMFIELD HILLS — In a five-game marathon, sometimes it’s the little things that can carry a team to victory. On Tuesday for Bloomfield Hills Lahser, it was the littlest player on the court, Megan Cunningham, that made the difference.
The 5-foot-4 sophomore libero was all over the volleyball court, and her solid play proved to be the difference marker in the Knights’ 3-2, OAA Red Division victory over Rochester Adams.
Lahser won the first game (25-20), third game (25-19) and fifth game (15-11) to prevail over the Highlanders, who took Game 2 (25-21) and Game 4 (25-14).
“She’s a very aggressive player,” conceded Adams coach Raey Zoellner of Lahser’s Cunnigham. “I thought she was a difference for Lahser. She came through for them countless times.”
Lahser coach Derek Jerome, who is the Knights’ third head coach in as many of seasons, said that Cunningham has been a steady hand all season, routinely digging the ball out of danger and keeping the Knights in each game.
“She’s been a huge part of it all for us this year. She averages between six and seven digs a game,” said Jerome. “She might not lead the team in kills, but she’s so valuable to us. It’s her first year playing libero and she’s only a sophomore. But she’s had a very good season. She made a ton of good plays for us again tonight.”
In the decisive Game 5, Cunningham came up with a pair of pivitol scoops, including one destined for the floor that ended up setting Mackenzie Cummings-Brown with a vicious kill and a 12-10 lead. The Knights (7-14-1) closed with a 4-1 run to end the marathon match.
Catie Wagner ended the match with a kill, and tied Caroline Dailey with a team-high 10 kills on the evening. Cunningham provided 26 digs.
Caroline Gerlach led Adams (10-17-2) with a match-high 15 kills. Allie Recchia had 29 assists and Ericka Rosinski served up four aces for the Highlanders.
Adams struggled with consistency in the first three games, even though the Highlanders squeaked out a win in the second set. In Game 4, the Highlanders used a 10-4 run to build a 22-11 advantage.
Adams eventually won the game to force a fifth set but eventually ran out of steam.
“It was a good match. I’m not complaining about our effort,” said Zoellner. “It’s tough to lose. I like the way our girls came back and really started to band the ball. We just had a couple of serve receive errors and Lahser made some nice plays, too, in the end.”
It was the second league win of the year for Lahser and the Knights can close out with a third league win Thursday with a win at last-place Rochester.
“We played the defense we needed to in a tight game like that,” said Jerome. “We’ve been in a lot of tight games this season. I’m really proud of the way we have fought all season. Even in some of our losses, we’ve competed.”
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Category: High School, Prep Wraps, Rochester Adams
