Whitewater makes volleyball final against (who else?) Marist

The Whitewater Lady Wildcats varsity volleyball team, ranked number one in Class AAAA, advanced to the state volleyball finals with two victories this weekend.

Whitewater began play against Dutchtown in the Elite 8 and came out strong. They defeated Dutchtown, 3 sets to none by scores of: 25-10, 25-14, and 25-7. Strong offensive play was turned in by Helen Menchinger, Teegan Van Gunst, Lizzie Knapper, Jasmine Reese, Katie Molina and Annika Van Gunst. The win put Whitewater in the semifinals against Northgate.

All three sets against Northgate were close but the Lady Wildcats showed great determination and mental toughness and came out on top to win 3 sets to none. The scores were 25-23, 25-20 and 27-25. Against Northgate Teegan Van Gunst had 13 kills and 15 digs, Menchinger had 19 kills and 11 digs, Knapper had seven kills, Kaylee Kehoe had 42 assists andthree 3 digs, Annika Van Gunst had five kills and 15 digs and Joy Smith had nine digs. Molina had three kills and played great defense at the net. Abby Baker and Christina Bacallao played great defense and Bacallao had a 95 percent serving efficiency score.

Whitewater now advances to the AAAA Finals against Marist, which will be played at Marietta High School on Saturday at 4 p.m.

In other games on Saturday, Sandy Creek beat Heritage, Conyers but lost to Marist in three sets; 25-22, 25-20, 25-20.