Friday, November 20. 2009
Ubly, Hudson bring same style to Saturday’s semifinal
Friday, November 20. 2009
Clancy won't let ankle injury keep her down...
BIG RAPIDS — When Andrea Clancy heard the eerie 'pop' near her ankle, she knew right away disaster was looming.
Clancy, a 2006 North Huron graduate entering her senior year with the Ferris State University women's basketball team, was going for a steal just a few minutes into the Bulldogs' first exhibition game earlier this month.
It was a defensive move she's made thousands of times before.
This time....
"I was in help-side in the paint, and then I saw the perimeter player with the ball passing it, and I was going for the steal," Clancy said. "I was in the air catching the ball, but then two or three other girls collided with me and it felt like they took my legs out from under me."
Moments later, Clancy knew the grim diagnosis.
"From what they could see from the film, they think I landed on my tippy toes and then my ankle gave out and broke," she said. "It was a very awkward fall. I thought I heard the velcro on my ankle braces, but it was probably the bone. As soon as it happened, I knew it was broke."
Just like that, a promising senior year with the Bulldogs taken away in a matter of seconds.
"I’ve never been seriously hurt, broken a bone, or sat out of anything the three years I’ve been at Ferris and even high school," Clancy said. "When I finally got the X-rays back and knew I had broken my fibula, it really hit me because our trainer was with me at the hospital and said I probably wouldn’t be able to play this season.
"I met with our team doctor the next day and she said they same thing. So after that, I was very upset and disappointed. I was very ready and excited for this upcoming season. I worked hard throughout the summer and preseason and it was just taken away like that."
Like Clancy, Ferris State coach Tracey Dorow was saddened by the season-ending injury.
"She was going to be a dominant starter this season and had really blossomed into a force in the paint," Dorow said. "She was owning her space and finishing very well around the basket, as well as knocking down the mid-range jump shot.
"She started to play more consistently about two-thirds of the way into last season and had a strong finish. The team voted her a co-captain last spring. This summer, she just gained so much confidence and was playing like an (all-league) candidate."
Clancy, a 6-foot-2 forward/center, averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds last season for the Bulldogs, who finished 13-15 overall in 2008-09. She shot 49 percent (67-for-138) from the floor and 84 percent (16-of-19) from the foul line.
Clancy had her ups and downs adjusting to college basketball, even after an all-state career at North Huron.
"The past three years at Ferris have been great — it has been a wonderful experience," she said. "My freshman year was hard making the transition from Class D to Division 2 college basketball, but it has gotten easier as each year passes.
"I’ve learned so much about the game and things I use in everyday life, like hard work, commitment, sacrifice and dedication."
Her coach definitely agrees.
"Of all the things to say about (Andrea), I believe the one thing that everyone should know about her is how hard she has worked and how persistent she has been in becoming the player that she is today," Dorow said. "So many days she could have just quit or settled, especially with an All-American post playing the majority of the minutes and throwing her around in practice, as well as three other upperclassmen that she lost out on a lot of playing time to... She could've just said it wasn't worth it to put so much on the line and get nothing for it. Instead, she battled every single day, kept her head up, and just kept getting better.
"That All-American (Rachel Folcik) is now helping coach here and said that she was having a hard time guarding her in practice and she couldn't believe how far she had come."
Clancy's on-court play will be missed, though she's planning on being there for her team, starting tonight in the season-opener against Gannon University.
"I’m still their captain and leader, and they need my support and encouragement," she said. "We have a very young team that still needs to learn a lot, but we are getting there."
Dorow wouldn't have it any other way.
"Not only is (Andrea) a really good basketball player, but she is a nurturing leader," she said. "She is always willing to step in and help any way she can, including carrying equipment or picking up trash in the locker room. She is very sensitive to what her peers need and does an outstanding job serving them, rather than dictating to them what should be done."
Clancy had surgery on her ankle two weeks ago, and will start physical therapy after the first of the year.
"They put a plate and six screws in my ankle," Clancy said. "The doctor said I will be on crutches for six weeks, putting no weight on it, then four weeks in a walking boot. After that, I’m sure I will be doing physical therapy for a while."
In the meantime, Ferris State has learned the NCAA has granted Clancy, who is majoring in public relations, a medical redshirt, meaning she'll come back for a fifth year and be able to play during the 2010-11 season.
"It’s all working out because I will be at Ferris for a fifth year of school anyways," she said.
"My teammates and coaches have made this an experience I’ll never forget. We are like a family. We spend a lot of time with each other and manage to still love each other. We get along great and have great chemistry.”
Dorow is looking forward to seeing Clancy on the floor in 2010-11.
"Hopefully, she'll return to action next year ready to dominate," she said.
"To put it simply, if you looked up 'classy' in the dictionary, you would find a picture of Andrea Clancy. And we are so thankful she's wearing a Bulldog uniform."
Clancy is the daughter of Doug and Lori Clancy of Port Austin.
Clancy, a 2006 North Huron graduate entering her senior year with the Ferris State University women's basketball team, was going for a steal just a few minutes into the Bulldogs' first exhibition game earlier this month.
It was a defensive move she's made thousands of times before.
This time....
"I was in help-side in the paint, and then I saw the perimeter player with the ball passing it, and I was going for the steal," Clancy said. "I was in the air catching the ball, but then two or three other girls collided with me and it felt like they took my legs out from under me."
Moments later, Clancy knew the grim diagnosis.
Andrea Clancy
"From what they could see from the film, they think I landed on my tippy toes and then my ankle gave out and broke," she said. "It was a very awkward fall. I thought I heard the velcro on my ankle braces, but it was probably the bone. As soon as it happened, I knew it was broke."
Just like that, a promising senior year with the Bulldogs taken away in a matter of seconds.
"I’ve never been seriously hurt, broken a bone, or sat out of anything the three years I’ve been at Ferris and even high school," Clancy said. "When I finally got the X-rays back and knew I had broken my fibula, it really hit me because our trainer was with me at the hospital and said I probably wouldn’t be able to play this season.
"I met with our team doctor the next day and she said they same thing. So after that, I was very upset and disappointed. I was very ready and excited for this upcoming season. I worked hard throughout the summer and preseason and it was just taken away like that."
Like Clancy, Ferris State coach Tracey Dorow was saddened by the season-ending injury.
"She was going to be a dominant starter this season and had really blossomed into a force in the paint," Dorow said. "She was owning her space and finishing very well around the basket, as well as knocking down the mid-range jump shot.
"She started to play more consistently about two-thirds of the way into last season and had a strong finish. The team voted her a co-captain last spring. This summer, she just gained so much confidence and was playing like an (all-league) candidate."
Clancy, a 6-foot-2 forward/center, averaged 5.4 points and 3.3 rebounds last season for the Bulldogs, who finished 13-15 overall in 2008-09. She shot 49 percent (67-for-138) from the floor and 84 percent (16-of-19) from the foul line.
Clancy had her ups and downs adjusting to college basketball, even after an all-state career at North Huron.
"The past three years at Ferris have been great — it has been a wonderful experience," she said. "My freshman year was hard making the transition from Class D to Division 2 college basketball, but it has gotten easier as each year passes.
"I’ve learned so much about the game and things I use in everyday life, like hard work, commitment, sacrifice and dedication."
Her coach definitely agrees.
"Of all the things to say about (Andrea), I believe the one thing that everyone should know about her is how hard she has worked and how persistent she has been in becoming the player that she is today," Dorow said. "So many days she could have just quit or settled, especially with an All-American post playing the majority of the minutes and throwing her around in practice, as well as three other upperclassmen that she lost out on a lot of playing time to... She could've just said it wasn't worth it to put so much on the line and get nothing for it. Instead, she battled every single day, kept her head up, and just kept getting better.
"That All-American (Rachel Folcik) is now helping coach here and said that she was having a hard time guarding her in practice and she couldn't believe how far she had come."
Clancy's on-court play will be missed, though she's planning on being there for her team, starting tonight in the season-opener against Gannon University.
"I’m still their captain and leader, and they need my support and encouragement," she said. "We have a very young team that still needs to learn a lot, but we are getting there."
Dorow wouldn't have it any other way.
"Not only is (Andrea) a really good basketball player, but she is a nurturing leader," she said. "She is always willing to step in and help any way she can, including carrying equipment or picking up trash in the locker room. She is very sensitive to what her peers need and does an outstanding job serving them, rather than dictating to them what should be done."
Clancy had surgery on her ankle two weeks ago, and will start physical therapy after the first of the year.
"They put a plate and six screws in my ankle," Clancy said. "The doctor said I will be on crutches for six weeks, putting no weight on it, then four weeks in a walking boot. After that, I’m sure I will be doing physical therapy for a while."
In the meantime, Ferris State has learned the NCAA has granted Clancy, who is majoring in public relations, a medical redshirt, meaning she'll come back for a fifth year and be able to play during the 2010-11 season.
"It’s all working out because I will be at Ferris for a fifth year of school anyways," she said.
"My teammates and coaches have made this an experience I’ll never forget. We are like a family. We spend a lot of time with each other and manage to still love each other. We get along great and have great chemistry.”
Dorow is looking forward to seeing Clancy on the floor in 2010-11.
"Hopefully, she'll return to action next year ready to dominate," she said.
"To put it simply, if you looked up 'classy' in the dictionary, you would find a picture of Andrea Clancy. And we are so thankful she's wearing a Bulldog uniform."
Clancy is the daughter of Doug and Lori Clancy of Port Austin.
Friday, November 13. 2009
Regional Weekend...
Friday, November 13. 2009
All-GTE football team
Thursday, November 12. 2009
All-GTW football team
Thursday, November 12. 2009
Bearcats prep for Petersburg-Summerfield
Wednesday, November 11. 2009
Nouvel ousts Bearcats
MONTROSE — What Ubly's volleyball team lacked in size this season was made up for with heart and gritty play.
Unfortunately for the Bearcats, they needed all three — and maybe even a little more — here Tuesday night in this Class C regional semifinal showdown with nemesis Saginaw Nouvel.
After a sluggish start, the Panthers used their size at the net to control play, eventually coming away with a 22-25, 25-19, 25-11, 25-21 victory over the Bearcats.
Nouvel (21-28-7) advances to Thursday's regional title match against another Greater Thumb East team, Marlette, which knocked off Saginaw Valley Lutheran in an exciting five-game slugfest in the opening semifinal.
"Our ball control was a little bit off tonight, and I think we got outplayed at the net," said Ubly coach Andy Gusa. "After the first game, their hitters got going. And we just weren't able to block them."
Nouvel's front line of Chelsea Hughes, Jessi Franz and Taylor Boyd didn't do much in the opening game, but came out firing the rest of the night, putting the Bearcats on the defensive.
"I think in Game 1 we were a little hesitant and we played back a little bit," said Nouvel coach Jen Comer. "In Game 2, we came out swinging when we got the lead and we capitalized on it. I think that was definitely the difference."
As quickly as the Bearcats took control in the opening game, they lost it in Games 2 and 3. Ubly actually led 9-5 in Game 2, but the Panthers came back to tie it at 11 and 17, eventually rattling off eight of the game's final 10 points.
From there, the Hughes-Franz-Boyd trio took over.
"We weren't tall this year, so we were challenged at the net because of that," Gusa said. "And that kind of hurt us tonight."
Franz led the Panthers with 10 kills while Boyd added nine kills. Both players are juniors who have come on late in the season, including in the playoffs.
"We've had our juniors play pretty well all year, but in the postseason they have really stepped up their game," Comer said. "Taylor has been on her game and has played very well.
"We sort of base a lot of our offense around (Hughes), but if she's having an off night we have some others who are playing really well right now."
Nouvel took control early in Game 3, sprinting out to leads of 9-5, 13-7 and 23-9. An Ubly hitting error, combined with an ace from Boyd, gave the Panthers the victory — and a 2-1 edge.
The Bearcats rallied a bit in Game 4. After falling behind 8-14, they managed to take a 19-18 edge. But Franz and Hughes came up big at the net over the final few points. Franz had four kills over her team's last seven points, including a big spike on match point.
It's the third time in the last five seasons Nouvel has put an end to Ubly's year.
"We gave everything we had, but it just wasn't enough tonight," Gusa said.
For the Bearcats, Jen White had 35 assists and was 19-of-19 serving while Sam Sweeney added 32 digs and was 15-of-15 serving, Stephanie Baslock 10 digs and 8-of-8 serving, Nicole Franzel 26 digs and 9-of-9 serving, Chelsey Pionk nine kills, Nicole Kubacki nine kills and 13 digs, Caitlyn Holdwick 14 kills and Jessica Gracey eight kills.
The Bearcats finish 19-20-4 overall.
"The girls worked hard all season," Gusa said. "You can't teach heart, and all the girls had a lot of heart out there. I'm proud of the way they played all season. Winning or losing, they played hard all the time."
Here are some photos from the match...
Unfortunately for the Bearcats, they needed all three — and maybe even a little more — here Tuesday night in this Class C regional semifinal showdown with nemesis Saginaw Nouvel.
After a sluggish start, the Panthers used their size at the net to control play, eventually coming away with a 22-25, 25-19, 25-11, 25-21 victory over the Bearcats.
Nouvel (21-28-7) advances to Thursday's regional title match against another Greater Thumb East team, Marlette, which knocked off Saginaw Valley Lutheran in an exciting five-game slugfest in the opening semifinal.
"Our ball control was a little bit off tonight, and I think we got outplayed at the net," said Ubly coach Andy Gusa. "After the first game, their hitters got going. And we just weren't able to block them."
Nouvel's front line of Chelsea Hughes, Jessi Franz and Taylor Boyd didn't do much in the opening game, but came out firing the rest of the night, putting the Bearcats on the defensive.
"I think in Game 1 we were a little hesitant and we played back a little bit," said Nouvel coach Jen Comer. "In Game 2, we came out swinging when we got the lead and we capitalized on it. I think that was definitely the difference."
As quickly as the Bearcats took control in the opening game, they lost it in Games 2 and 3. Ubly actually led 9-5 in Game 2, but the Panthers came back to tie it at 11 and 17, eventually rattling off eight of the game's final 10 points.
From there, the Hughes-Franz-Boyd trio took over.
"We weren't tall this year, so we were challenged at the net because of that," Gusa said. "And that kind of hurt us tonight."
Franz led the Panthers with 10 kills while Boyd added nine kills. Both players are juniors who have come on late in the season, including in the playoffs.
"We've had our juniors play pretty well all year, but in the postseason they have really stepped up their game," Comer said. "Taylor has been on her game and has played very well.
"We sort of base a lot of our offense around (Hughes), but if she's having an off night we have some others who are playing really well right now."
Nouvel took control early in Game 3, sprinting out to leads of 9-5, 13-7 and 23-9. An Ubly hitting error, combined with an ace from Boyd, gave the Panthers the victory — and a 2-1 edge.
The Bearcats rallied a bit in Game 4. After falling behind 8-14, they managed to take a 19-18 edge. But Franz and Hughes came up big at the net over the final few points. Franz had four kills over her team's last seven points, including a big spike on match point.
It's the third time in the last five seasons Nouvel has put an end to Ubly's year.
"We gave everything we had, but it just wasn't enough tonight," Gusa said.
For the Bearcats, Jen White had 35 assists and was 19-of-19 serving while Sam Sweeney added 32 digs and was 15-of-15 serving, Stephanie Baslock 10 digs and 8-of-8 serving, Nicole Franzel 26 digs and 9-of-9 serving, Chelsey Pionk nine kills, Nicole Kubacki nine kills and 13 digs, Caitlyn Holdwick 14 kills and Jessica Gracey eight kills.
The Bearcats finish 19-20-4 overall.
"The girls worked hard all season," Gusa said. "You can't teach heart, and all the girls had a lot of heart out there. I'm proud of the way they played all season. Winning or losing, they played hard all the time."
Here are some photos from the match...
Tuesday, November 10. 2009
And the winners are...
Friday, November 06. 2009
Playoffs – District championship night...
Friday, November 06. 2009
Bearcats capture C district crown
BAD AXE — With a dive to the floor, a wave of the wrist, and a poke of the arm, Ubly's volleyball team usually gets it done with defense.
But Thursday night in this Class C district final against Unionville-Sebewaing Area, the Bearcats had their all-around 'A' game on display.
"We played the best I've seen all season," said Ubly coach Andy Gusa, whose squad hung on for an exciting 25-19, 25-22, 24-26, 15-25, 15-12 title-clinching decision over the Patriots.
"In the five games, we only missed one serve. And our serve receive and ball control was on all night."
It took Ubly's best effort to get by the Patriots, last season's district champions who advanced all the way to the state semifinals.
After falling in the first two games, USA could have packed it in. Instead, the Patriots rallied in Game 3, flourished in Game 4, but ran out of gas in Game 5.
"You can't lose the first two, and then come back and expect to dig yourself out of that hole," said USA coach Teresa Rose. "We did a great job coming back, but..."
The Bearcats never trailed in the deciding game, jumping out to leads of 2-0, 5-1 and 9-5. USA actually came back to tie the game at 11, but Ubly's Caitlyn Holdwick finished off the Patriots with back-to-back kills on points 14 and 15.
That aggressive style of play was something Gusa kept preaching to his Bearcats, who struggled at the net in Games 3 and 4.
"We ended the third game with a spike into the net," Gusa said. "After that, I just told the girls, 'Keep swinging. Don't let that bother you.' I wanted them to swing their way out of it — and they did."
Holdwick paced the Ubly hitters with 22 kills. Chelsey Pionk chipped in 12 kills while Nicole Kubacki added 11 and Jessica Gracey four.
After grabbing Games 1 and 2, the Bearcats actually had a chance to make it a quick evening in Game 3. Ubly led most of the game, eventually grabbing a 24-22 lead on a combination block from Pionk and Holdwick.
But USA didn't go down without a fight. The Patriots managed to tie it, and eventually took a 25-24 lead on a Rachel Mowry kill. Ubly's hitting error on game point forced Game 4.
"It would have been nice to just do it in that third game and save all that aggravation," Gusa joked. "We just couldn't get those last two points. It's a game of streaks. It was up and down. I thought USA played really well.
"When we went into that fourth game I could have almost guaranteed that we were going to lose it. The momentum was all on their side. I was just hoping we could regroup (for the fifth game) and we did. Barely, but we did."
USA cruised in Game 4.
"I thought we played a little better in Games 3 and 4," Rose said. "We were going for everything. Nothing was hitting the ground. And we attacked more, instead of tipping."
The five-game marathon was reminiscent of the Oct. 27 match between the two squads. On that night, USA won the first two games before the Bearcats rallied to force Game 5. The Patriots eventually won the deciding game, 15-9.
"It was actually more lopsided than that," Gusa admitted. "They put in their second team in the third game and that was kind of how we got going. They beat us pretty good, I thought."
Added Rose: "We just played them last week, and I think the girls might have thought it was going to be a walk in the park. I tell them constantly, 'You just can't do that.'"
For USA, Jenny Williamson had four points, 19 receptions, five digs, 17 kills, and one block while Cali Valentine had 15 points, seven digs and 20 assists, Cami Valentine 12 points, 27 receptions, seven digs and two kills, Brittany Gruehn eight points, 14 receptions and five digs, Mowry nine points, six kills and three blocks, Sami Eisengruber 20 kills and two blocks, Chelsey Ewald four points, six digs, two kills and 21 assists, Maddy Payton five kills and three receptions, and Jessica Gremel six kills.
After the whirlwind that was the 2008 season, Rose is still satisfied with her young team's performance in 2009.
"I thought we had a heck of a season," Rose said. "We finished in the middle of the league, kind of where we thought we'd be. We made it to the finals of the districts... I am happy with what we did.
"We have a lot of young players. I think the future is bright for USA volleyball."
For Ubly, Holdwick added eight blocks while Pionk added five blocks and 13-of-13 serving, Kubacki 15 digs and four blocks, Gracey six blocks, Stephanie Baslock 15 digs and 13-of-13 serving, Nicole Franzel 25 digs and 14-of-14 serving, Jennifer White 40 assists, 11 digs and 16-of-16 serving, and Sam Sweeney 40 digs and 13-of-13 serving.
19-19-3 overall Ubly travels to Montrose on Tuesday for a regional semifinal showdown with Saginaw Nouvel.
The Panthers beat Sanford Meridian, 25-14, 25-18, 25-15, to win their district. The Panthers have had an up and down season, sporting a 19-27-8 overall record.
"We're not the tallest team out there," Gusa said. "But we have a great setter, a couple of great defenders, and our hitters have been getting better all the time."
The other regional semifinal match Tuesday features 36-18-5 Saginaw Valley Lutheran against Greater Thumb East runner-up Marlette.
Here are some photos from the match...
But Thursday night in this Class C district final against Unionville-Sebewaing Area, the Bearcats had their all-around 'A' game on display.
"We played the best I've seen all season," said Ubly coach Andy Gusa, whose squad hung on for an exciting 25-19, 25-22, 24-26, 15-25, 15-12 title-clinching decision over the Patriots.
"In the five games, we only missed one serve. And our serve receive and ball control was on all night."
It took Ubly's best effort to get by the Patriots, last season's district champions who advanced all the way to the state semifinals.
After falling in the first two games, USA could have packed it in. Instead, the Patriots rallied in Game 3, flourished in Game 4, but ran out of gas in Game 5.
"You can't lose the first two, and then come back and expect to dig yourself out of that hole," said USA coach Teresa Rose. "We did a great job coming back, but..."
The Bearcats never trailed in the deciding game, jumping out to leads of 2-0, 5-1 and 9-5. USA actually came back to tie the game at 11, but Ubly's Caitlyn Holdwick finished off the Patriots with back-to-back kills on points 14 and 15.
That aggressive style of play was something Gusa kept preaching to his Bearcats, who struggled at the net in Games 3 and 4.
"We ended the third game with a spike into the net," Gusa said. "After that, I just told the girls, 'Keep swinging. Don't let that bother you.' I wanted them to swing their way out of it — and they did."
Holdwick paced the Ubly hitters with 22 kills. Chelsey Pionk chipped in 12 kills while Nicole Kubacki added 11 and Jessica Gracey four.
After grabbing Games 1 and 2, the Bearcats actually had a chance to make it a quick evening in Game 3. Ubly led most of the game, eventually grabbing a 24-22 lead on a combination block from Pionk and Holdwick.
But USA didn't go down without a fight. The Patriots managed to tie it, and eventually took a 25-24 lead on a Rachel Mowry kill. Ubly's hitting error on game point forced Game 4.
"It would have been nice to just do it in that third game and save all that aggravation," Gusa joked. "We just couldn't get those last two points. It's a game of streaks. It was up and down. I thought USA played really well.
"When we went into that fourth game I could have almost guaranteed that we were going to lose it. The momentum was all on their side. I was just hoping we could regroup (for the fifth game) and we did. Barely, but we did."
USA cruised in Game 4.
"I thought we played a little better in Games 3 and 4," Rose said. "We were going for everything. Nothing was hitting the ground. And we attacked more, instead of tipping."
The five-game marathon was reminiscent of the Oct. 27 match between the two squads. On that night, USA won the first two games before the Bearcats rallied to force Game 5. The Patriots eventually won the deciding game, 15-9.
"It was actually more lopsided than that," Gusa admitted. "They put in their second team in the third game and that was kind of how we got going. They beat us pretty good, I thought."
Added Rose: "We just played them last week, and I think the girls might have thought it was going to be a walk in the park. I tell them constantly, 'You just can't do that.'"
For USA, Jenny Williamson had four points, 19 receptions, five digs, 17 kills, and one block while Cali Valentine had 15 points, seven digs and 20 assists, Cami Valentine 12 points, 27 receptions, seven digs and two kills, Brittany Gruehn eight points, 14 receptions and five digs, Mowry nine points, six kills and three blocks, Sami Eisengruber 20 kills and two blocks, Chelsey Ewald four points, six digs, two kills and 21 assists, Maddy Payton five kills and three receptions, and Jessica Gremel six kills.
After the whirlwind that was the 2008 season, Rose is still satisfied with her young team's performance in 2009.
"I thought we had a heck of a season," Rose said. "We finished in the middle of the league, kind of where we thought we'd be. We made it to the finals of the districts... I am happy with what we did.
"We have a lot of young players. I think the future is bright for USA volleyball."
For Ubly, Holdwick added eight blocks while Pionk added five blocks and 13-of-13 serving, Kubacki 15 digs and four blocks, Gracey six blocks, Stephanie Baslock 15 digs and 13-of-13 serving, Nicole Franzel 25 digs and 14-of-14 serving, Jennifer White 40 assists, 11 digs and 16-of-16 serving, and Sam Sweeney 40 digs and 13-of-13 serving.
19-19-3 overall Ubly travels to Montrose on Tuesday for a regional semifinal showdown with Saginaw Nouvel.
The Panthers beat Sanford Meridian, 25-14, 25-18, 25-15, to win their district. The Panthers have had an up and down season, sporting a 19-27-8 overall record.
"We're not the tallest team out there," Gusa said. "But we have a great setter, a couple of great defenders, and our hitters have been getting better all the time."
The other regional semifinal match Tuesday features 36-18-5 Saginaw Valley Lutheran against Greater Thumb East runner-up Marlette.
Here are some photos from the match...
(From left) Nicole Kubacki, Caitlyn Holdwick, Jennifer White (10), Stephanie Baslock (2), Chelsey Pionk (4), Samantha Sweeney and Nicole Franzel (3) celebrate moments after match point Thursday night.
Ubly’s volleyball players and coaches pose with the Class C district championship trophy Thursday night.
Ubly’s Jessica Gracey blocks the ball against USA’s Jessica Gremel.
(From left) Head coach Andy Gusa, assistant coach Erica Philp, Hailey Kubacki (5) and Alicia Heilig celebrate match point.
Ubly's Caitlyn Holdwick spikes over USA’s Andrea Vermeersch.
Ubly's Caitlyn Holdwick battles with USA's Rachel Mowry (11) and Jenny Williamson (6) at the net.
USA's Rachel Mowry spikes over a pair of Ubly defenders, including Chelsey Pionk (4).
USA's Sami Eisengruber goes up for a kill.
Jennifer White sets the ball for the Bearcats while teammate Nicole Franzel (3) looks for a return.
USA's Calie Valentine (1) sets the ball for teammate Sami Eisengruber (14) while Ubly's Nicole Franzel (3) awaits for the return.
Wednesday, November 04. 2009
All-GTC Soccer 2009
Tuesday, November 03. 2009
Blog Football Contest - The Final 2009 Version...
Monday, November 02. 2009
News and views from the playoffs...
A recap of this weekend's area action...
News: For the second time this season, Reese comes away with a win over Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port, this time 29-7 in the opening round of the Division 6 playoffs.
Views: What's so surprising about this game — and the Oct. 9 meeting between the teams, too — is the way Reese's defense basically manhandled EPBP's offense.
In eight quarters, the Lakers managed just one offensive touchdown against the Rockets. Throw out the two Reese games, and this is an offense which averaged 34.6 points. The Lakers averaged 6.5 against the Rockets.
Either I overestimated the EPBP offense, or underestimated the Reese defense.
Regardless, the Rockets dominated both games, especially in the second half.
Reese turned a 12-7 halftime lead in the first meeting into a 30-7 shelling.
Friday night, the Rockets led just 14-6 at the half before taking advantage of field position and three Laker turnovers en route to a 22-point win.
Both games showed off the Rockets’ speed and athletic ability. I don't think anyone will argue that Reese has a little bit more than the Lakers in those two areas.
And I have to admit, a sophomore who was the starting tailback on the junior varsity team at the beginning of the year did an admirable job for the Rockets in the slop at quarterback.
Jimmy Hahn threw a touchdown pass in the second quarter, and then “managed” the game in the second half for the Rockets.
Meanwhile, the Lakers didn't seem as bothered by the mud as much as the last time, but they still had costly mistakes and miscues.
With that said, this group of Laker seniors can hang their hats on the fact they captured a pair of Greater Thumb West championships, racking up a 13-7 record along the way the last two seasons.
Unfortunately, they just didn't have much success in the playoffs.
News: Ubly has an easy time with Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, rolling to a 52-0 victory in the opening round of the Division 7 playoffs.
Views: Did anyone NOT see this coming?
I doubt it.
The Bearcats chalked up 541 yards rushing while limiting the Crusaders to just 39 — yes, 39 — total yards.
Now, the 10-0 Bearcats host 10-0 Genesee this Friday for the district championship.
The Wolves advanced with a 43-8 pounding of Brown City on Saturday.
Don't be surprised to see Genesee give Ubly a game. Yes, the Wolves haven't been much of a problem for the Bearcats in their two previous playoff meetings in 2006 and 2008, but this might be a different Genesee squad.
Genesee quarterback Garret Cook looks like the real deal. He rushed for 112 yards and three TDs against Brown City. He also threw for 173 yards, and added an 85-yard kick return for a score.
Ubly's defense will get a much stiffer test against the Wolves.
I still see the Bearcats being more physical than Genesee and coming away with the district championship, but it's not going to be a blowout like it was against Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest.
News: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes boots a 20-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to grab a thrilling 30-28 win over Deckerville in the opening round of the Division 8 playoffs.
Views: This one was worth the two-hour drive to Waterford.
This game was sort of a microcosm of Deckerville's season. The Eagles were close, but couldn't make a big play when they needed it.
Two plays, actually, defined that.
The first came at the end of the second quarter when Deckerville faced fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line with just a few seconds to play. Quarterback Cody Hoff's pass was batted in the air and fell incomplete, just out of the reach of receiver Josh Fritch's hands.
Then, late in the game, with WLOL backed up and facing third-and-long, Laker quarterback Mike Sullivan scrambled around and floated a pass to a streaking Anthony Caiozzo, who hauled it in and raced down to the 3-yard line.
After a spike to stop the clock, freshman kicker Jake Doetsch's field goal squeezed through the left upright.
The Lakers started celebrating.
The Eagles were consoled.
I tip my hat to the Eagles, though. They weathered a long bus ride and a shaky start and played one of their better games of the season.
They came up just one play short.
News: OK, I would be remiss if a didn't mention that the administrators, Steve Budzynski and Don Schelke, finally got into the pockets — DEEP into the pockets — of myself and Jerry Kranz on Sunday morning at Verona Hills Golf Club.
Views: It hurt. Believe me, it hurt.
Now, they have the entire winter to gloat.
And that's going to hurt most of all.
Enjoy it now, boys. Because we're coming out blazing next spring!
Here are some photos from the WLOL vs. Deckerville game...
News: For the second time this season, Reese comes away with a win over Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port, this time 29-7 in the opening round of the Division 6 playoffs.
Views: What's so surprising about this game — and the Oct. 9 meeting between the teams, too — is the way Reese's defense basically manhandled EPBP's offense.
In eight quarters, the Lakers managed just one offensive touchdown against the Rockets. Throw out the two Reese games, and this is an offense which averaged 34.6 points. The Lakers averaged 6.5 against the Rockets.
Either I overestimated the EPBP offense, or underestimated the Reese defense.
Regardless, the Rockets dominated both games, especially in the second half.
Reese turned a 12-7 halftime lead in the first meeting into a 30-7 shelling.
Friday night, the Rockets led just 14-6 at the half before taking advantage of field position and three Laker turnovers en route to a 22-point win.
Both games showed off the Rockets’ speed and athletic ability. I don't think anyone will argue that Reese has a little bit more than the Lakers in those two areas.
And I have to admit, a sophomore who was the starting tailback on the junior varsity team at the beginning of the year did an admirable job for the Rockets in the slop at quarterback.
Jimmy Hahn threw a touchdown pass in the second quarter, and then “managed” the game in the second half for the Rockets.
Meanwhile, the Lakers didn't seem as bothered by the mud as much as the last time, but they still had costly mistakes and miscues.
With that said, this group of Laker seniors can hang their hats on the fact they captured a pair of Greater Thumb West championships, racking up a 13-7 record along the way the last two seasons.
Unfortunately, they just didn't have much success in the playoffs.
News: Ubly has an easy time with Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, rolling to a 52-0 victory in the opening round of the Division 7 playoffs.
Views: Did anyone NOT see this coming?
I doubt it.
The Bearcats chalked up 541 yards rushing while limiting the Crusaders to just 39 — yes, 39 — total yards.
Now, the 10-0 Bearcats host 10-0 Genesee this Friday for the district championship.
The Wolves advanced with a 43-8 pounding of Brown City on Saturday.
Don't be surprised to see Genesee give Ubly a game. Yes, the Wolves haven't been much of a problem for the Bearcats in their two previous playoff meetings in 2006 and 2008, but this might be a different Genesee squad.
Genesee quarterback Garret Cook looks like the real deal. He rushed for 112 yards and three TDs against Brown City. He also threw for 173 yards, and added an 85-yard kick return for a score.
Ubly's defense will get a much stiffer test against the Wolves.
I still see the Bearcats being more physical than Genesee and coming away with the district championship, but it's not going to be a blowout like it was against Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest.
News: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes boots a 20-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to grab a thrilling 30-28 win over Deckerville in the opening round of the Division 8 playoffs.
Views: This one was worth the two-hour drive to Waterford.
This game was sort of a microcosm of Deckerville's season. The Eagles were close, but couldn't make a big play when they needed it.
Two plays, actually, defined that.
The first came at the end of the second quarter when Deckerville faced fourth-and-goal from the 6-yard line with just a few seconds to play. Quarterback Cody Hoff's pass was batted in the air and fell incomplete, just out of the reach of receiver Josh Fritch's hands.
Then, late in the game, with WLOL backed up and facing third-and-long, Laker quarterback Mike Sullivan scrambled around and floated a pass to a streaking Anthony Caiozzo, who hauled it in and raced down to the 3-yard line.
After a spike to stop the clock, freshman kicker Jake Doetsch's field goal squeezed through the left upright.
The Lakers started celebrating.
The Eagles were consoled.
I tip my hat to the Eagles, though. They weathered a long bus ride and a shaky start and played one of their better games of the season.
They came up just one play short.
News: OK, I would be remiss if a didn't mention that the administrators, Steve Budzynski and Don Schelke, finally got into the pockets — DEEP into the pockets — of myself and Jerry Kranz on Sunday morning at Verona Hills Golf Club.
Views: It hurt. Believe me, it hurt.
Now, they have the entire winter to gloat.
And that's going to hurt most of all.
Enjoy it now, boys. Because we're coming out blazing next spring!
Here are some photos from the WLOL vs. Deckerville game...
Saturday, October 31. 2009
Rockets do it again to the Lakers
In an game eerily similar to the one a few weeks ago with these same two teams, Reese earned a 29-6 decision over Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port in the opening round of the Division 6 playoffs Friday night.
The Rockets led just 14-6 at the half, but took advantage of sloppy play from the Lakers, scoring once in the third quarter and then again early in the final period to put the game away.
EPBP's lone score came on a 20-yard fumble recovery from Chris Rowe midway through the second quarter.
That means the Lakers mustered just one offensive TD in 8 quarters vs. the Rockets this season.
In the first game between these teams in Week 7, the Rockets led just 12-7 at the half before breaking it open for a 33-7 win.
A complete recap of the contest will appear in Monday's Tribune.
Here are some photos from the game...
The Rockets led just 14-6 at the half, but took advantage of sloppy play from the Lakers, scoring once in the third quarter and then again early in the final period to put the game away.
EPBP's lone score came on a 20-yard fumble recovery from Chris Rowe midway through the second quarter.
That means the Lakers mustered just one offensive TD in 8 quarters vs. the Rockets this season.
In the first game between these teams in Week 7, the Rockets led just 12-7 at the half before breaking it open for a 33-7 win.
A complete recap of the contest will appear in Monday's Tribune.
Here are some photos from the game...
Mike Wolschlager hits the hole for the Lakers.
Luke Voelker tries to shake loose for yardage for the Lakers.
Chris Rowe is taken down by a host of Rockets.
A slick ball slips out of the hands of EPBP's John Goins.
Reese's Andrew Mendyk plows into the end zone.
Luke Voelker is wrapped up by a Reese defender.
Chris Rowe finds a hole for the Lakers.
