LocalSportsJournal.com
NORTH MUSKEGON — With the lead in the West Michigan Conference-Rivers on the line, the atmosphere was electric when Shelby visited North Muskegon on Tuesday night.
Shelby’s student section made it seem like a home match for the Tigers, and they responded with a hard-earned 3-1 victory over the Norsemen, 18-25, 25-20, 25-17 and 25-21.
“They are a really good team that attacks from multiple areas across the net,” said Shelby head coach Tom Weirich. “I loved the focus of the team.
“After the first set, we needed to relax and get back on track. I really think our student section was good for five points, at least, each set.
“We are happy with any conference win, but this puts us in the driver’s seat as the conference season wraps up. Couldn’t be happier with the team, and our student body. They both showed up big-time tonight.”
Although the Norsemen made a valiant effort to slow down Tigers’ team leader Navea Gauthier, she rose to the occasion and finished the night with 31 kills at the attack line.
She also aded 19 service points, including six aces, and was a force on defense with 25 digs along with four blocks in another outstanding all-around performance.
Audrey Horton was the trigger person for the Tigers’ offense with 32 assists, with Morgan Weirich contributing three while scoring 17 service points with five aces.
Shelby was led by Natalie Pannucci who had 14 kills and 12 digs. Fia Lindsay followed with five kills and three blocks. Sami Baker had 10 digs to go with her 29 assists, and Allie Jensen finished with eight digs.
Joslynne Bogner contributed four kills to go with two aces, Jaley Schultz led the defense with 22 digs.
The Tigers compete in a tournament at Plainwell on Saturday, while the Norsemen are scheduled to return to the court tonight (Wednesday) for a conference match with Newaygo.
