Sports
Chesaning swept by Swan Valley in district finals
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Friday, November 6, 2009 9:40 AM EST
OVID-ELSIE - After losing the first two games and trailing 11-2 in game three in the Class B district championship match, Chesaning could have easily thrown in the towel.
Instead the Indians kept plugging away.
Saginaw Swan Valley had won the first two games over the Indians, but Chesaning never gave up. The Indians went on a 14-5 run to take a 16-15 lead in what proved to be the final game.
But the Vikings eventually put the Indians away 25-13, 25-16, 25-20 to capture their first district championship since 2002.
Chesaning, backed up by an enthusiastic Indians' cheering section, saw its season end at 14-14 overall. Two seasons ago, the Indians won their first district title in 23 years. Chesaning could not claim another district title Thursday, but coach Pam Wesley was satisfied her team played at its maximum potential.
“Swan Valley is an outstanding team - not much more you can say,” said Wesley. “We played them earlier in the season and our scores were 10 times better than what we played them the first time. I'm proud of each and every one of them.”
Sophomore Chazsi Beckman spearheaded Chesaning's effort Thursday, delivering nine solo blocks, four kills and eight digs. Alyssa Willson had 19 digs while Sabrina Aguilar had 12 digs and Kali Gross had one kill.
Swan Valley (35-15-4) featured the play of Natalie Ziel, with 14 kills and seven digs, and Paige Wegner, with seven kills. Krista Conaway had 22 digs.
“My girls were frustrated a little bit but they pulled through,” said Swan Valley head coach Sarah Ball.
Chesaning led 1-0 in game one after a Beckman block but Swan Valley would score the next five points. The Indians clawed back to get within 12-8 but the Vikings won the first game decisively, 25-13.
In game two, it was a similar script. The Vikings broke out to a 7-2 lead before Chesaning got within 12-11 following an errant Swan Valley attack. Senior middle hitter Jenna Armstrong's kill sealed the Vikings' 25-16 victory.
carlene wrote on Nov 7, 2009 10:44 AM: