D4 Finals Recap: St. Philip holds off Oakland Christian in five
The queens have reclaimed their throne. It’s been since the 2014 season that Battle Creek St. Philip was able to host a state championship trophy, but the Fighting Tigers are back on top after claiming their 21st title on Saturday.…
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Continue ReadingThe queens have reclaimed their throne.
It’s been since the 2014 season that Battle Creek St. Philip was able to host a state championship trophy, but the Fighting Tigers are back on top after claiming their 21st title on Saturday.
St. Philip did so, but it wasn’t as easy as it looked like it was going to be.
The Tigers dominated the opening two sets before seeing Oakland Christian rally back to force a fifth. In the end, St. Philip came away with a 25-8, 25-15, 22-25, 22-25, 17-15 victory.
“That was truly a great volleyball match. I’m at a loss for words. It was very emotional. Oakland Christian was a great team, they did not quit,” St. Philip coach Vicky Groat said. “Oakland Christian actually played like they were capable of playing (in the final sets). They came out firing and played a great three, four and five. We are fortunate to be sitting here as state champions.”
The Tigers never trailed in the opening two sets, as they were able to bring the fight to the Lancers early on.
Oakland Christian struggled to find much of an offensive flow in the opening sets, giving St. Philip an opportunity to set the tone.
That tone setter was Brooke Dzwik Brooke Dzwik 5'10" | OH Battle Creek St. Phil | 2022 State MI , who put down seven kills in the opening set and eight in the second to put Oakland Christian’s back against the wall.
The Lancers showed their championship mettle in the third set, scoring the opening four points and then ending the frame by scoring seven of the last 10 points.
Oakland Christian then rode that momentum in the fourth, scoring six of the final nine points to push for a fifth set.
“I knew the longer the match went, it kind of helped us,” Oakland Christian coach Brian Theut said. “That third game I just knew that if we could get one, get a couple of points in a row, I knew we had it.”
The fifth set saw Dzwik turn it up and push the Tigers to the win. She had seven kills over the final set and ended the match with 37 kills and 32 digs.
Lone St. Philip senior Harleen Deol played very well in the middle, racking up 16 kills with eight digs. Her final kill broke a 15-15 tie in the fifth and set up championship point.
Rachel Myers finished with 51 assists and 16 digs for St. Philip while Baily Fancher had 29 digs and Kate Doyle posted 20.
Oakland Christian was led by middle Anna Frazee, who had 10 kills with five blocks. Kylie Morga added nine kills while Kaylee Page had eight and 13 digs.
Katie Hopkins had 27 assists at setter, while Olivia Colletti had a strong effort in the back row with 36 digs.