Goodrich continued their undefeated string in Genesee Area Conference play Monday, Jan. 23.
The visiting Martians defeated Lake Fenton 25-14, 25-14, 25-18 to improve their league record to 4-0. Goodrich is now 11-10-4 overall.
The momentum of the match was turned to Goodrich’s favor in game three, when coming back from a 9-14 deficit, by a string of ten straight serves by Katie Birch. Near perfect serving by the team fueled the victory for Goodrich, who combined for a total of 69-of-72 serves, missing just three serves the entire match.
Tara Garman went 9-for-10 serving and 44-for-44 attacking with four aces, 12 digs, 27 kills and nine blocks; while Birch went 31-of-32 passing, 6-of-6 passing and 12-of-14 attacking with 12 digs and five kills.
Alyssa Bertrand went 9-for-9 serving, 11-for-11 attacking, and 61-for-61 setting with 29 assists and five digs, while Ashley Short was 13-for-13 passing with 11 digs.
Goodrich coach Richard Sirna said good defense and team play were the key factors in the team’s win.
The Martians went 2-2-1 at the Madonna University Classic Sunday, Jan. 22, finishing in sixth place.
Goodrich went 5-3 in pool play at the tournament. The Martians defeated Holly 26-24, 25-19 and Flat Rock 25-11, 25-21; split with Riverview 25-23, 19-25; and lost to Plymouth 18-25, 20-25.
The Martians then advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament, where they lost to Dearborn Divine Child (ranked eighth in the state in Class B) 25-16, 25-13.
Garman had eight aces, 33 digs, 36 kills and 16 blocks for the Martians, while Bertrand added 16 aces, 17 digs, 61 assists and nine kills. Bertrand was also a perfect 204-for-204 setting. Birch went 32-for-32 serving with three aces, 20 digs and 19 kills.
Sirna said the Martians ‘played extremely well in every match and were in every game.?
The Martians earned a hard-fought win in GAC play against host Durand Jan. 19, losing the first two games 5-15 and 15-25 before taking the next three 20-25, 25-23, 15-11.
Bertrand was perfect in setting during the match. Garman and Birch combined for 43 kills.
The momentum of the match was turned to Goodrich’s favor during the fourth game behind perfect serving by Bertrand, Sarah Sweet, Birch and Nancy VanVlack, who combined to go 15/15 in that department. In game 5 Goodrich jumped to an early lead and fought hard to keep ahead of Durand.