CLARE — Grayling’s girls volleyball team was hoping to build some momentum with district tournament only days away, but instead came up with a flat performance in a 3-0 loss to Clare on the road Monday night.
The Vikings were coming off a Lake Michigan Conference win over Kalkaska in their last match, and had given a good account in a conference loss to Traverse City St. Francis in Traverse City.”
It might seem strange to people talking positively about a loss, but I thought we had really done very well against St. Francis,” Vikings coach Tim Zigila said. “St. Francis has a great program, and we hoped we could use that match as a measuring stick.
“We did a good job in just about every facet of the game, and felt that we were making great progress. Then we beat Kalkaska, and the girls came away from that match feeling even more confident.
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The Vikings couldn’t get over the 17-point barrier all night, losing all three sets by identical scores of 17-25.
Kenzie Castle led the Vikings (2-5) with three service aces. Kynadi Dole was strong at the net with five blocks and six kills, Allison Brown contributed 11 assists and Ellie Wagner led the back row defense with 11 digs.
Grayling is off now Tuesday and Wednesday before traveling to Ogemaw for a meet with Ogemaw and Houghton Lake on Thursday in its regular season finale.
The Vikings host the district tournament starting Monday, and will play the second match of a doubleheader against Boyne City.
