LocalSportsJournal.com
FREMONT – Despite a slow start, the Western Michigan Christian volleyball team finished in first place at the Fremont Invitational on Saturday.
The Warriors opened pool play with losses to Fremont (25-19, 17-25, 23-25) and Plainwell (13-25, 18-25, 25-21), but defeated Sparta (25-20, 10-25, 25-18).
After a break in the action, the Warriors regrouped and avenged the previous loss to Fremont (13-25, 25-16, 15-12) and advanced to the finals.
The Warriors battled Plainwell in the final round and escaped victorious in two sets (25-22, 25-22).
Abby Leffring racked up 44 kills and four blocks while Ashley Folkema had 27 kills and eight blocks. Hannah Heiss had 32 kills and six blocks. Bri Warners chipped in with 139 assists and Nora Anderson had 20 kills and a pair of blocks.
The Packers were 2-1 in bracket play with wins against Sparta (25-19, 25-19, 25-18) and WMC. The loss came in a tight contest with Plainwell (20-25, 25-22, 14-25).
Kendall Barnhart led the Packers with 28 kills, 25 digs and 15 aces while Brynna Barnhart added 46 assists and four blocks. Taylor DeKuiper and Baylah Parker chipped in offensively with nine aces and five aces, respectively. Lily VandenBerg had 35 assists and 20 digs.
WMC returns to action on Monday for a quad match at Montague.
Fremont plays in a quad match at Mona Shores on Tuesday.
