VOLLEYBALL

Playing in front of their homecoming crowd on Saturday at Platt Arena, the Huntington volleyball team handed the Grace Lancers just their eighth loss of the year in a thrilling five-set match, 19-25, 28-26, 25-23, 13-25, 15-10.

The W is HU’s second of the weekend having beaten Goshen in another five-setter Friday night as they improve to 9-16 on the year, 5-8 in league action.

“We’ve played a lot of four and five-set matches this season and I think we get better and better in each one,” said Shondell.

The Lancers, who recently knocked off #18 Saint Francis, drop to 17-8 overall, 9-4 in the Crossroads League. The loss snaps the six-game win streak Grace held over the Foresters.

Grace didn’t have an answer for Brandy Michie and nowhere was that more evident than the second set. Down 24-21, the Foresters looked to Michie who didn’t disappoint. The 5-9 sophomore posted five kills down the stretch to will her team to the 28-26 come-from-behind win.

Michie finished with a career-best 21 kills and a .326 hitting percentage. Paige Eakright added 14 kills while Tailor Schultheis chipped in 11.

“People are starting to understand just how good Brandy is,” said Shondell. “Her playing at a high level allows us to do so much with our offense.”

Jenna Tacosik and Breanna split setting duties to post 31 and 23 assists respectively. Ariene Butler led the charge defensively with 25 digs. Nicole Flickinger totaled 12.

“Ariene was terrific again,” noted Shondell. “Our whole backcourt, really, did their job and gave us the opportunities we needed to go after Grace in transition.”

The Foresters committed just five service errors on the afternoon to Grace’s 11 while blocks favored GC 11-4.

Shondell’s crew has about a week’s break before competing in the Cornerstone/Aquinas Classic starting on Friday when they open with Cornerstone at 5:00 p.m.