The Woodhaven girls varsity volleyball team played a nail-biter against their rivals, the Allen Park Jaguars.

The Warriors and Jags hit it off with close scores during all three sets, with spectators on the edges of their seats. This is one of Woodhaven’s biggest competitors in the downriver league, so the team was under heavy pressure in hopes of taking home the league title.

In the first set, the Warriors were set back 6 points because of difficult serves made by the opposing team. The points were recollected not far after by Jalynn Wilmot, with her powerful serves. As students and parents continued to fill the stands, the atmosphere grew more and more intense.

As the first game progressed, Woodhaven fought back to regain the lead against Allen Park. Seniors Jayla Martin and Lilly Rushlow helped keep the team alive with unblockable swings and strong blocks.

While Martin and Rushlow led the team on and off the court, all 10 other athletes helped cheer for the team to keep the energy alive, allowing the Warriors to take the first set by a 2 point tie breaking score of 26-24. 

The momentum they had going into the second set allowed the Warriors to take the set more easily than the first. Ashlyn Koester and Olivia Rozycki worked together to save the team from losing valuable points in the back row.

Woodhaven kept their cool and did not get cocky; they continued to work together to try and take this last set for the win. Senior Paige McNamee said, “Our team is very hardworking and dedicated to accomplishing the goals that  we set.”

The third set was taken by the Warriors with less ease as the Jags were anxiously trying harder to get the win. Woodhaven and Allenpark headed off for two final points when they were 24 to 24. The Warriors pulled through and took home a win in all three sets.

The work and ethics put into this team were not made by just the coaches but by the whole team combined. McNamee says, “We try going into every game confident and as long as we play to our best abilities then the outcome does not matter.”