Shorthanded Wildcats Rally Past 'Busco
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
COLUMBIA CITY - Whitko forgot about the past and looked toward its future Thursday in the first game of the Columbia City Volleyball Sectional.
With three starters (five players overall) sitting on the sidelines because of disciplinary reasons, a young, upstart Wildcat unit fought back against Churubusco and won a tough 10-15, 15-2, 15-8 decision to advance to the sectional semifinals.
Because of the absences of the players, Whitko (13-18) had only seven players available and started four sophomores, two juniors and brought a freshman off the bench.
"They were under some conditions that we are not used to, and that sometimes brings out the best in people and that is an example of that," Whitko coach Dave McCracken said. "The kids executed well. We had some kids that played out of position of what they have done through the year, and they stepped up and did a real nice job. A lot of times, you would think they might struggle a little, but I thought they did very well for the hand they were dealt."
After dropping game one 15-10, a game the Wildcats led 10-7, Whitko got the jitters and nerves out of its system and went to work.
Led by sophomore BrieAnn Starkweather, the Wildcats began to take charge and dominate against Churubusco. Whitko stormed out to a 9-2 lead in the second game and then rattled off the final six points to win 15-2.
In the third and deciding game, Whitko broke open a 6-5 game with eight straight points, including three kills from sophomore Shana Miner. Churubusco closed to within 14-8, but junior Amber Landis closed the door with an ace.
"On that team, we had no experience from last year's sectional," McCracken said. "In that first game, they were a little shaky. Then we checked the hands after the first game, and all the shakes were gone, so I felt real confident after that first game they would have some success."
The Wildcats turn their sights to a rematch with Warsaw.
"It sets up a whole new lineup," McCracken said. "We will put the best lineup we can against Warsaw, and see if we can have some magic like we had tonight."
Starkweather led Whitko with 10 kills, Landis got five and Miner added four.
Whitko (13-18) will face Warsaw (20-14) in the second game Saturday at about 12:30 p.m. Valley and Columbia City play at 11 a.m. The championship is set for 7:30 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]
COLUMBIA CITY - Whitko forgot about the past and looked toward its future Thursday in the first game of the Columbia City Volleyball Sectional.
With three starters (five players overall) sitting on the sidelines because of disciplinary reasons, a young, upstart Wildcat unit fought back against Churubusco and won a tough 10-15, 15-2, 15-8 decision to advance to the sectional semifinals.
Because of the absences of the players, Whitko (13-18) had only seven players available and started four sophomores, two juniors and brought a freshman off the bench.
"They were under some conditions that we are not used to, and that sometimes brings out the best in people and that is an example of that," Whitko coach Dave McCracken said. "The kids executed well. We had some kids that played out of position of what they have done through the year, and they stepped up and did a real nice job. A lot of times, you would think they might struggle a little, but I thought they did very well for the hand they were dealt."
After dropping game one 15-10, a game the Wildcats led 10-7, Whitko got the jitters and nerves out of its system and went to work.
Led by sophomore BrieAnn Starkweather, the Wildcats began to take charge and dominate against Churubusco. Whitko stormed out to a 9-2 lead in the second game and then rattled off the final six points to win 15-2.
In the third and deciding game, Whitko broke open a 6-5 game with eight straight points, including three kills from sophomore Shana Miner. Churubusco closed to within 14-8, but junior Amber Landis closed the door with an ace.
"On that team, we had no experience from last year's sectional," McCracken said. "In that first game, they were a little shaky. Then we checked the hands after the first game, and all the shakes were gone, so I felt real confident after that first game they would have some success."
The Wildcats turn their sights to a rematch with Warsaw.
"It sets up a whole new lineup," McCracken said. "We will put the best lineup we can against Warsaw, and see if we can have some magic like we had tonight."
Starkweather led Whitko with 10 kills, Landis got five and Miner added four.
Whitko (13-18) will face Warsaw (20-14) in the second game Saturday at about 12:30 p.m. Valley and Columbia City play at 11 a.m. The championship is set for 7:30 p.m. [[In-content Ad]]