The Nest, Inside Orchard View Athletics
By: Justin Troyer
Presented by: Vandyk Mortgage
MUSKEGON, MI — The Orchard View Cardinal Volleyball Team battled through five sets Thursday night at home, answering every challenge Holton put in front of them before ultimately falling 15-8 in the deciding set.
Holton answered in the third, taking the set 25-12, but the Cardinals once again refused to let the match slip away.
Orchard View fought to a 25-23 victory in the fourth set, forcing a deciding fifth set.
In the final frame, Holton pulled away to secure the 15-8 win and the five-set victory.
For Orchard View head coach Alecia Miller, the match was another example of a young team learning what it takes to compete at the varsity level.
Miller has emphasized attitude and effort throughout the season. She knows she has a young team that is still learning how to compete consistently at the varsity level. While many of her players are locked in, Miller believes the Cardinals need everyone to step up, buy into the same standard and commit to fixing the little things.
For Miller, that starts with focusing on what the team can control.
“We have to control the controllables,” Miller said. “The little things can stack up on top of each other, and those little things can lead to unfavorable results.”
That message has become a central part of the Cardinals' development. Effort, attitude, communication, focus and the willingness to correct mistakes are all things the Cardinals can control.
Miller believes getting everyone to embrace those controllables can help unite the team and give the Cardinals an opportunity to continue growing.
Thursday's match showed flashes of what that growth can look like.
One of those bright spots was Aubrey Beckley, who continues to demonstrate the attitude and effort Miller is looking for. Beckley has also shown herself to be a strong teammate, remaining supportive and engaged even when the Cardinals face adversity.
After battling through five sets, Beckley admitted the loss was difficult, particularly after Orchard View fought back twice to extend the match.
“It’s tough to be in a good five-set match and then lose, but I’m proud of the effort we showed on the court,” Beckley said.
Beckley knows there were mistakes made throughout the match, but she also believes those mistakes can be corrected. Her confidence in her teammates and willingness to continue working through adversity provide another positive example for a young Cardinals team.
And Thursday gave Orchard View plenty to build on.
Statistically, Ava Dood led the Cardinals with 22 digs, while Haylee Doty paced Orchard View with eight kills.
Jasmine Bell finished with 18 assists and four aces. Aubrey Hartley also recorded four aces, while Breylin Breusch contributed 11 service points.
The Cardinals may not have walked away with the result they wanted, but five sets against Holton provided something a young team needs just as much as a win — experience.
For Miller, the next step is turning that experience into improvement.
If the Cardinals can continue addressing the little things, maintain their attitude and effort, and get everyone pulling in the same direction, Orchard View has an opportunity to keep building throughout the season.
Thursday night wasn't the ending the Cardinals wanted.
But for a young team still learning how to compete together, it was another opportunity to learn, grow and discover just how high these Cardinals can soar.
Photo: #2 Aubrey Beckley
Community Partners: Poo Patrol Muskegon, Great Lakes Nutrition
Comments
Post a Comment