Cardinal Volleyball Continues Building, Learning Against Whitehall

The Nest, Inside Orchard View Athletics
Justin Troyer
Presented by: Vandyk Mortgage

Whitehall, MI -- The Orchard View Cardinals faced another tough conference test Thursday night in Whitehall. While the Cardinals dropped three straight sets, 18-25, 6-25, 9-25, there were plenty of positives to take away from a young Orchard View team that continues to gain experience with every match.

Head Coach Alecia Miller highlighted the contributions of Jasmine Bell and Breylin Breusch, pointing to the two Cardinals for the impact they made throughout the match.

Jasmine Bell

Bell continues to show exactly why she earned her spot on the varsity roster. Her hustle and never-quit attitude were on display throughout the match, with her willingness to chase down balls and make plays helping keep the Cardinals battling.

That hustle also showed up in the stat sheet, as Bell finished with five assists.

Breusch provided a strong night from the service line, leading the Cardinals with six service points.

The Cardinals also saw contributions from several other players. Ava Dood led Orchard View with six digs, while Haylee Doty paced the Cardinals with four kills.

Breylin Breusch

Defensively, Orchard View showed some of its best moments of the night. The Cardinals were scrappy, making several impressive digs and showing a willingness to keep plays alive against a seasoned Whitehall team.

For a young team that continues to develop its volleyball instincts, those moments are important.

The experience factor was evident at times, particularly when it came to positioning and adjustments around the court. Miller pointed to strategy as an area where the Cardinals missed opportunities, specifically with tip coverage and free-ball placement.

Orchard View frequently sent the ball back toward Whitehall's strongest hitters, allowing an experienced team to put pressure on the Cardinals. Against a seasoned opponent, those small strategic decisions can quickly become difficult to overcome.

Still, Miller is encouraged by the direction of her team.

The Cardinals continue to become more aggressive with each match, and that growth is showing. The defensive effort, improved digs and willingness to battle for every ball are signs of a team learning on the fly.

There is still plenty of work to do, especially around the net, but this is a young Cardinal squad gaining valuable varsity experience with every set.

And with each match, the Cardinals are learning, adjusting and becoming a little more confident in their game.

The growth continues. So does the fight.

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