The Reeths-Puffer volleyball team is almost halfway to its victory total from last season, and the Rockets have only played in two events so far.
Not bad for a team that is counting on a lot of inexperienced underclassmen to play key roles.
R-P had a successful night on Wednesday, winning two of three matches in a four-team event in its own gym.
R-P's Kate Tindall (8) battles at the net. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The Rockets started off with a tough 25-27, 13-25 loss to Fruitport, then rebounded to beat Ravenna 25-14, 25-22 and Ludington 25-23, 21-25, 25-18.
They improved their record to 5-4 on the season. Last year they won a total of 12 matches.
R-P's Makayla Disselkoen blasts a shot. Photo/Jeremy Clark
“I continue to be impressed with the growth of our defense,” said R-P head coach Justin Birr. “To see four players on the stat line with 18-plus digs in three matches shows how scrappy we are as a defense.
“We still have some things to work on in our blocking scheme, in becoming more consistent in serve-receive, and in mixing up our shots offensively, but tonight showed that we are very competitive against some pretty talented local teams.”
Birr was particularly impressed with the three-set win over Ludington, a team the Rockets also beat last week at the Coopersville Invitational.
Tindall sets up Lexie Danz for a kill. Photo/Jeremy Clark
“I was impressed with how we rebounded after a tough second set,” Birr said. “Our girls came out determined and were aggressive in all aspects of the game. There were some very long rallies at the end of the third set, and our girls came out on top each time.
"Those 50-50 points that go back and forth feel so much bigger than a single point, and I am proud of how we are winning more and more of those points this year.”
Mairyn Peterson and Annabelle Darke led the Rockets with 16 and 15 kills, respectively. Lexie Danz served up five aces. Defensively, Darke and Kate Tindall had 23 and 18 digs, respectively, while Danz had three blocks.
Carlee Bowen dives to keep the ball in play. Photo/Jeremy Clark
Annabelle Darke (14) returns a shot in front of Mairyn Peterson (12). Photo/Jeremy Clark