VOLLEYBALL

There was a lot of energy in Platt Arena Friday night of homecoming in a league clash between the Huntington volleyball team and Goshen College Maple Leafs (8-15, 2-9) where the hosts eventually enjoyed a five-set victory, 20-25, 25-15, 25-23, 20-25, 15-13.

Five-setters are commonplace for the Foresters these days. Shondell’s crew has found themselves in nine so far this season which includes winning three of their last four extended contests. HU’s last outing against the Maple Leafs also took five sets to decide but favored GC back in August to make for a 1-1 series stalemate this year.

During Shondell’s tenure, his teams has claimed five wins over Goshen to three losses to make for a well-documented rivalry that fans from both squads have come to expect.

“It wouldn’t be a Goshen-Huntington match if it were any less of a battle than that,” noted Shondell. “That team is so much better than their record and they always give us their absolute best game.”

Despite the Maple Leafs logging ten blocks, Huntington still managed to post a season-high 68 kills. Four different Foresters put up big numbers paced by Tailor Schultheis and Paige Eakright who each finished with 15. Brandy Michie added 13 kills while Lanie McClanahan put down 12.

“We were able to get our middles going and that really helped spread things out offensively,” said Shondell. “Goshen is one of the best blocking teams in the league and when we don’t outwork them, it can be really difficult to score.”

HU’s intensity on defense was just as evident. Schultheis tallied two solo blocks to lead the charge at the net while Ariene Butler didn’t let too many balls hit the floor by collecting a career-best 32 digs.

“Ariene has been steadily getting better and more comfortable in our defense all season,” said Shondell. “Without her cleaning up the backcourt for us like she did tonight, this is a much different story.”

HU has won two of its last three matches to improve to 8-16 overall, 4-8 in CL play. They are back in action tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. to host Grace.