West Branch: 'Don't count us out'
In West Branch, the Bears travel to Tipton to play their final regular-season match Thursday night.
Preseason expectations heaped on West towered over those of West Branch, but the Bears are still 16-8 and have earned a first-round bye in regionals.
Outside hitter Abby Knoop has spearheaded the surprising season. Her 279 kills account for more than 38 percent of the team’s total offense.
That might seem like the Bears rely too much on one player, but the equation works.
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Abby Knoop leaves legacy at West Branch with her arm, smile
Knoop’s surrounded by a scrappy defense, led by libero Dalana Kron, that feeds the ball to two capable setters in Sophie Nopoulos and Riley Vaughan, who then float the ball to the cannon-armed Knoop or the savvy Claire Bridges, Knoop's fellow outside hitter.
“A lot of people counted us out,” Knoop said. “We were hit hard by graduation and we’re still growing. We have not reached our potential yet, which is awesome — especially going into postseason. Every single day, we’re improving.
“Don't count us out. I think we can make a big run in the district tournament.”
Let’s not jump too far ahead. Like West, West Branch also plays in a daunting tournament this Saturday before its district tournament starts next Thursday.
In West Branch, the Bears travel to Tipton to play their final regular-season match Thursday night.
Preseason expectations heaped on West towered over those of West Branch, but the Bears are still 16-8 and have earned a first-round bye in regionals.
Outside hitter Abby Knoop has spearheaded the surprising season. Her 279 kills account for more than 38 percent of the team’s total offense.
That might seem like the Bears rely too much on one player, but the equation works.
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Abby Knoop leaves legacy at West Branch with her arm, smile
Knoop’s surrounded by a scrappy defense, led by libero Dalana Kron, that feeds the ball to two capable setters in Sophie Nopoulos and Riley Vaughan, who then float the ball to the cannon-armed Knoop or the savvy Claire Bridges, Knoop's fellow outside hitter.
“A lot of people counted us out,” Knoop said. “We were hit hard by graduation and we’re still growing. We have not reached our potential yet, which is awesome — especially going into postseason. Every single day, we’re improving.
“Don't count us out. I think we can make a big run in the district tournament.”
Let’s not jump too far ahead. Like West, West Branch also plays in a daunting tournament this Saturday before its district tournament starts next Thursday.
