Sights and Sounds: Frankenmuth Eagle Invitational
This past weekend was another impressive one full of volleyball. Frankenmuth played host to a highly coveted 11 team tournament. The teams in attendance were full of talent and filled the day with long rallies, big kills and great volleyball.…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend was another impressive one full of volleyball. Frankenmuth played host to a highly coveted 11 team tournament. The teams in attendance were full of talent and filled the day with long rallies, big kills and great volleyball.
Here’s a look at what you missed at the Frankenmuth Eagle Invitational.
Flint Powers Catholic
The Chargers had quite the successful day. After being slotted in arguably the toughest pool of the tournament, they stepped up to the challenge. After splitting with both Fenton and Bay City Central, they would defeat Unionville-Sebewaing to secure the 3rd seed going into playoffs. They would go on to topple over Midland in a 3-set quarterfinal before avenging a split with pool play foe, Fenton. They made it to the championship with Rochester Adams. After losing the first set, the Chargers rallied to take the tournament championship.
Leading the way was Sophomore OH Madison Gebhardt. Gebhardt – playing all six rotations – pocketed 42 kills on the day while pulling great defense plays despite her youth with 7 blocks and 37 digs!
Rochester Adams
Adams played superbly throughout the day. After going 6-0 in pool play, they continued the energy into the gold playoffs as the no. 1 seed. They kept the dominance of their offense through Cass City and then Bay City Central. They’d run into 3rd seed, Powers, where the match came down to the slimmest of margins and they’d suffer their first set loss of the tournament and eventually loss in general.
As a whole, the Highlanders’ offense was tough to stop let alone slow down. They had a balanced attack and received impressive performances across the board. Junior OH Rea Marfatia had a cannon of an arm and seemed to lead the make defender guessing her shots. Senior MB Emanuela Gjokaj brought big play at the net with her block but had an impressive slide attack that Sophomore setter Jacoby Flynn had no problem with running often.
Fenton
The Fenton Tigers were another impressive squad in attendance Saturday. The team was a part of the top-notch pool B that held Powers, USA and Bay City Central. They’d split with both Powers and Central in pool play, making it to the semi-final rounds before bowing out to champions Powers. The Tiger’s play was quite impressive throughout the day with setter Sydney Acho feeding her guns.
Leading the charge was Junior MB Sydney Sahr. Sahr was a quick attacker with a heavy arm, dropping 31 kills throughout the day and 5 aces. Sahr found her self with many open courts as her quickness gave her free range of blockers running a combination of 1s and 31s. Opposing defenders couldn’t stand a chance. Alongside her was Senior OH Lydia Podlesak who also terminated 31 kills and had quite the IQ in using the block to her advantage.
Bay City Central
Another Pool B squad was stellar in their weekend outing. The Wolves held a balanced attack throughout the day, a goal given by head coach Allison Sobczak. This led the squad to a semifinal appearance in the gold bracket after going 2-0-2 prior. Central found their biggest success come from the arms of their pins. What was more impressive was the youth of this squad.
Leading the Wolves were a pair of Sophmore OHs in Molly Pitcher and Megan Gross. Pitcher had 37 kills and 10 aces while Gross had 20 kills, 2 aces and 2 blocks. Both outsides combined for 25 digs playing 6 rotations. Junior MB Makayla Roberts was another bold player. Explosive and versatile, Roberts posted 12 kills, 4 blocks and 4 aces during their tournament run.
Other Standout Performers
Grace Williamson, Jr, MB, Unionville-Sebewaing – Williamson had a steady outing during the invitational. Showing signs of her pay during the MHSAA tournament last year, she dropped 21 kills to a tune of .333 while serving 7 aces with only one service error throughout the tournament.
Brooklin Karwat, Sr, OH, Frankenmuth – Karwat was feeling herself in her team’s hosted tournament. By the end of pool play, she was hitting .392 to take first in the pool. Muth would fall to Central in the quarters in straight sets. Karwat finished the day with 34 kills hitting .284. She also posted 5 aces, 4 blocks and 16 digs to cap off an impressive outing.