By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON – Ever since Coach Dan Potts took over the Mona Shores volleyball program in 2013, the Sailors have been on top of the O-K Black Conference.
In 2013, the Sailors shared the title with two other teams, then won it outright last season.
Mona Shores launched its effort for another trophy by defeating Reeths-Puffer 3-0 on the Rockets’ home court Tuesday in its first conference match of the season.
Mona Shores’ Madison Dunn gets the dig. Photo/Jason Goorman
“I thought we executed really well tonight,” Potts said. “It was a pretty exciting atmosphere.
“It was our goal to have three solid sets, but we did have a couple of letdowns.”
The victory improved the Sailors’ record to 14-7 overall and 1-0 in league play.
Ryleigh Wehler and Grace Hellman led Mona Shores with eight kills apiece.
The Sailors were also led by Sasha Poland with six aces, Haley Gartland with 13 digs and Madison Dunn with five blocks.
The Sailors captured the straight set match with scores of 25-15, 25-20 and 25-11.
Mona Shores jumped out to 5-1 lead in the first set on four successful serves by Poland. The Rockets could only cut their deficit to as low as three points (10-7) before the Sailors closed the set with a 15-8 run.
R-P freshman Emma Lynn gave Reeths-Puffer an early 3-0 lead in the second set with three strong serves.
Lynn finished the night with three aces, three kills and nine digs.
Reeths-Puffer’s No. 3 Emma Lynn goes for the spike as Mona Shore’s No. 11 Madison Dunn and No. 8 Kaitlin Hermanson go for the block. Photo/Jason Goorman
Reeths-Puffer’s lead was short-lived as the Sailors went on a 19-8 run to take a 19-11 lead. The Rockets cut their deficit to two points before falling in the second set.
The Sailors closed out the match with a strong 19-6 run after having a slim 6-5 advantage early in the third set.
The Rockets were led by Camryn Vanderleest with seven kills and Zoe Kelly with 10 digs.
“I think my team gets beat by the Shores name and not by its girls,” said Reeths-Puffer Coach Jeff Hellmann. “My team doesn’t play like they can play, they are much better than how they perform.”
Hellmann didn’t know his team’s current record, but said it’s well under .500.
