MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP - Things are looking up for the Reeths-Puffer volleyball team.
You wouldn’t necessarily know that by the Rockets’ 6-15-1 overall record, which is the result of a rough start to the season.
But a glance at R-P’s record in the O-K Green conference – a tidy 4-1 after Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Wyoming – paints a much brighter picture.
After losing their first conference match to Mona Shores, the Rockets have now disposed of Holland, Muskegon, Grand Rapids Union and Wyoming in a row.
The Rockets still have to play Zeeland East on the road on Thursday and Zeeland West at home next Tuesday to complete the first part of their conference schedule, which precedes the long conference tournament.
The Rockets celebrate after scoring a point.
Both of those matches are bound to be challenging, but no matter what happens, the Rockets have started to win and gain some confidence.
That should bode well in the coming weeks, when all sorts of exciting opportunities pop up on the schedule.
“We beat the teams we are supposed to beat,” said R-P Coach Justin Birr. “I’m more excited about the city tournament, the conference tournament and districts.”
One reason for Birr’s excitement is the return of senior outside hitter Natalie Kunnen, a top offensive player who has been out all season with a finger injury.
Kunnen was back in the lineup on Tuesday after being cleared on Monday, registered four kills and three digs, and gave the Rockets a more complete look.
R-P's Maddi Dyer (4) returns a shot.
Now Reeths-Puffer will have more of a potent offensive attack, with Kunnen joining Ava Klopp, Madi Snyder and Mairyn Peterson to give the Rockets more power at the net.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Birr said about Kunnen’s return. “She practiced a little bit yesterday and the girls are really rallying around her.
“We have more options now. Offensively we will be a little bit of a different team. This will make us a taller, more hard-hitting team, which is huge.”
The Rockets only had to overcome a few sluggish moments on Tuesday to blow past Wyoming.
The first set was tied 6-6 before Reeths-Puffer pulled away for a 25-14 victory.
Maddi Dyer serves for Reeths-Puffer.
The Rockets jumped out to a big 7-0 lead in the second set and cruised to an even easier 25-11 win.
The third and final set was more of a struggle. The score was tied six different times, including 19-19, before R-P won six of the last nine points to take a 25-22 victory.
Peterson led the R-P offense with 11 kills and served two aces. Maddy Dyer had 25 assists and two aces.
Megan Barmes led the defense with 24 digs and also had a kill, an assist and three aces.
“That was the best back row passing we’ve had all season, which made our front row look good,” Birr said.
