The #1 seed at the Sacred Heart 7A Regional, Cowden-Herrick, took its first step towards a regional title by taking care of business against Mulberry Grove on Monday night, winning in straight games, 25-13, 25-12.
As a team, Cowden-Herrick served up 23 aces out of 50 points and added another nine points off kills for 32 of their points coming directly off their play, not from opponent errors. Six of their nine kills were assisted.
"I'm pleased with the way the girls played, especially after a long weekend," said Hornet coach Angela Jefferies. "We are looking forward to playing Sacred Heart on Thursday."
Mulberry Grove was hopeful after defeating Brownstown in the preliminary game. They scored the first three points of the match against the #1 seeded Hornets, but then gave up possession and Ariel Heiserman went to work at the service line.
He first three offerings were aces for a 4-3 lead. She served another ace at 6-3, then sizzled an ace for an 8-3 lead. Haven Lorton had a good swing and the ball didn't come back. Heiserman then lasered an ace just over the net for a 10-3 lead. Heiserman would go on to serve 16 points in the match with a team-high total of ten aces.
Lorton free slammed a bll and M.G. called time-out, 11-3. After the pause Lorton tipped for a point to cap the 12-0 run.
Mulberry Grove had an ace, but back and forth got it to 17-8. Dakota Fouts then served three aces ina row, 20-8. More back and forth ended with a Fouts kill, 22-11.
Heiserman came back to the line and served two aces, bringing game point, 24-11. A couple of missed tips gave M. G. 13 point, but a lift call gave C-H game one.
At 1-1 in game two, Ashley Davis served back-to-back aces. Alicia Adams got a tip kill and Lorton served four straight aces, 9-3. Mulberry Grove scored four of the next five points, but then gave away a serve, 11-7. Fouts served an ace and M.G. hit the rafters, 13-7.
A sideout led to another 3-point M.G. run, then Jensyn Morrison hit a flat bump that scored. Morrison went to the line and served an ace. Alternating scores gave C-H possession with Heiserman coming to the line. She served consecutive aces. A net call gave Mulberry Grove their last point of the season, 18-12.
Davis went to the line after M.G. tipped out and she served out the match. M.G. had two errors, then Davis served a sizzling, twisting ace. M.G. overheaded out and Hannah Wehrle 2-handed a ball for to bring match point, 24-12.
Davis then served a rocket for an ace and the match.
Cowden-Herrick (17-3) plays Sacred Heart in the regional final on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Sacred Heart 1A Regional
Cowden-Herrick def. Mulberry Grove, 25-13, 25-12
C-H stats: Ariel Heiserman 16 points, 10 aces, 1 assist, 1 dig; Ashely Davis 8 points, 4 aces, 1 dig; Haven Lorton 5 points, 5 aces, 3 kills, 2 digs; Dakota Fouts 4 points, 3 aces, 1 kill; Jensyn Morrison 1 point, 1 ace, 1 kill; Hannah Wehrle 2 kills, 4 assists, 3 digs; Chloe Meek 1 kill, 1 dig; Alicia Adams 1 kill, 1 assist.
*Watch for web updates for the compete story, stats and photos.
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