The signs of progress continue to emerge for the Reeths-Puffer volleyball team.
The Rockets’ performance in the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association Tournament, which includes every team in Muskegon County, is the latest example.
In 2023, R-P went 0-2 in the tournament and finished in 10th place. Last year the Rockets posted a 1-2 mark and finished seventh. On Saturday, they picked it up a notch again, going 2-1 and taking fifth place.
R-P's Mairyn Peterson (12) shoots around a blocker. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The Rockets were seeded fifth, started out the day with a chance to advance straight to the tournament semifinals, and came close to making it.
They battled Western Michigan Christian for three extremely close sets and finally lost 25-23, 23-25, 15-17.
That sent the Rockets into the placing bracket and they responded with two hard-earned victories. They downed Oakridge in three sets, 25-19. 14-25, 15-10, then did the same with Ravenna, rallying to win 15-25, 25-15, 15-11.
R-P's Carlee Bowen keeps the ball in play. Photo/Jeremy Clark
The results left the Rockets above the .500 mark on the season with an 18-16 record. They already have six more wins than they had last season.
“Today was competitive match after competitive match, and I am proud of how our girls competed,” said R-P head coach Justin Birr. “All three matches we played went to three sets, and our girls persevered and battled all day.
“Although we were two points away from advancing to the semifinals, and it comes with disappointment, we are also moving in the right direction as a program. Seeing the improvement of the varsity team and our entire program over the past couple of years has been great, and we continue to build on young talent as well as a core group of upperclassmen.”
R-P's Makayla Disselkoen (7), who led the Rockets in kills on Saturday. Photo/Jeremy Clark
R-P’s offense was led by Makayla Disselkoen (22 kills) and Abby Machinski and Mairyn Peterson (15 kills apiece. Peterson also had a great serving day with 11 aces. Kate Tindall dished out 63 assists.
Defensively, Carlee Bowen had 19 digs and Kate Tindall added 17.
The Rockets will host Caledonia in another challenging O-K Green conference match on Tuesday.
The Rockets celebrate a point. Photo/Jeremy Clark