PLYMOUTH - Big things come in small packages. They did for Tippecanoe Valley's varsity volleyball team in its 15-8, 15-1 Thursday win over the Culver Girls Academy in the first round of the Plymouth Sectional.

With the Vikings leading 14-8 in the first match, 5-5 junior Jamie Doud, one of three players of that height on the team, served up the winning point. She had just one service point in the opening game, but as setter, she had her hands on the ball in very key situations.

In the second game, one that Valley won 15-1, Doud served up six consecutive points, jumping the Viking's lead from 5-1 to 11-1. Kristi Rudd, a 5-3 junior, the shortest on the team, served up the final two points for the Vikings.

"Jamie's been a real delight because after losing her sister Rhonda (1999 graduate) she's been real big for us," said Valley coach Jon Parker. "You ask her to do something and she'll do it over and over again. Kristi hasn't seen a lot of time this year but has been a big part of our success because of the way she practices. I'm glad she got in there and served up the last two points."

The win pushes Valley's overall season record to 22-10 and ties a school record for most wins in a season. Valley has won 60 games in the last three years. Parker said he thinks this is also a record. The Vikings will play Mishawaka Marian Saturday at 12:30 p.m. in the semifinal round. Marian topped Whitko 15-9, 17-15 in Thursday's second game.

The Eagles took a quick 2-0 lead on the Vikings in the first game but came right back when senior Inga Vandermark made good on six consecutive serves. Alexis Shields gave CGA another point after a sideout, but Lynette Wilcox served up four more Valley points, jumping the advantage to 10-3.

Valley's best defense proved to be its offense.

"That's what we have to do (make good on serves) against these teams," said Parker. "We have to attack the ball and we did that in streaks tonight. When we're attacking we can play with anyone. We have to go all out."

In the second game the Vikings went all out.

Vandermark quickly put Valley up 5-0 before Shields notched the Eagles' only point in the game. Doud came back with six service points and the Vikings were up 11-1. Wilcox and Rudd served two points apiece as the Eagles watched their season end.

After the victory Parker said he was pleased in the way Wilcox and senior Jennifer Studebaker played.

"After the way CGA blocked up front, we went to the middle," said Parker. "Wilcox and Studebaker played good tonight. When teams come at us with blockers we'll take our chances."

Not only do big things come in small packages but also in bigger packages.

"Lynette Wilcox is the only girl in 25 years I've seen touch the (basketball) rim," said Parker. "She touched it one night in volleyball practice. That's how good her ups are."

With a win Saturday in the semifinals, Valley would face either Plymouth or Rochester. Rochester was ranked 8th in the final Class 3A poll. The Zebras topped Valley 15-11, 15-10 in the regular season. What would a Valley/Rochester rematch mean?

"It would be fun for us," said Parker. "It's one of those games where the girls would have to be confident they can win. We definately would be the underdogs. We really have to look at things one game at a time. We didn't look past CGA. We have one day to prepare for the next one and we'd have one afternoon to prepare for the championship."

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Whitko ended its season at 8-21 in the evening's second matchup as it fell 15-9, 17-15 to Mishawaka Marian. Marian improved to 25-9 and will meet Tippecanoe Valley at 12:30 p.m. in Saturday's semifinal round.

Marian jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead on the Wildcats in the first game with Carly Chelminiak at the serving line. Sophomore Teri Walter served up Whitko's first point after numerous sideouts, but the Knights eventually built their lead to 12-1 and went on to win the first game 15-9.

The second game was a different story altogether.

Rebecca Palka gave the Knights a quick 4-0 lead in the second game but with one service point from Jill Adang and three more by Walter, and the Wildcats tied the game. Whitko built its lead up to 10-6 and eventually 14-9 but couldn't hang on.

Marian junior Donna Bauters brought the Knights to a tie at 14 with five consecutive service points. Senior Alyson Frantz's serve gave Whitko a 15-14 lead, but after a Marian sideout, Catherine Albert served up the tying point and then the two to win, and the Knights found themselves a berth in the semifinal round.

TIPPECANOE VALLEY DEF. CULVER GIRLS ACADEMY 15-8, 15-1

Kills: Valley, Lynette Wilcox 4, Tara Baker 4, Jennifer Studebaker 2: CGA, Jennifer Steinke 2

Assists: Valley, Jamie Doud 17

Aces: Valley, Inga Vandermark 2, Wilcox 2

Digs: Valley, Studebaker 2, Vandermark 2, Kyleigh Gast 2; CGA Amelia Jeffers 5, Alexis Sheilds 4, Ashley Long 3, Emily Moore 3

MISHAWAKA MARIAN DEF. WHITKO 15-9, 17-15

Kills: Marian, Becky Palka 11, Kathryn Eisele 8, Stephanie Powell 7; Whitko, Tary Hammill 3, Alyson Frantz 2

Blocks: Whitko, Nici Nestel 3, Stacie Warner 2, Monica Sands 2

Assists: Marian, Carly Chelminiak 16, Donna Bauters 13

Aces: Marian, Bauters 3

Digs: Marian, Catherine Albert 3, Eisele 2; Whitko, Mindy Lopshire 4, Warner 3, Amy Till 2, Teri Walter 2 [[In-content Ad]]