ADRIAN — Lenawee Christian and Whiteford were already familiar with one another when they met for their first Tri-County Conference match of the season.

The Cougars and Bobcats shared the TCC championship after each went 11-1 in league play last fall. They also faced one another earlier this season at a Tecumseh Quad meet, where LCS earned a nonconference victory.

The rematch officially began the conference race, and Lenawee Christian used its experience, depth, and strength at the net to earn a 25-17, 25-16, 25-22 sweep.

“It feels great,” Lenawee Christian coach Tenille Marowelli said. “Janie is a fantastic coach, and they’re extremely defensive-minded. You can see that. They dig up our biggest hitters. It’s something you admire, but it makes us want to be better.”

The Cougars took control late in the opening set, building a 24-13 advantage before Whiteford fought off several set points. Lenawee Christian eventually closed it out, 25-17, with the energy inside the gym helping the Cougars build momentum.

LCS carried that momentum into the second set, jumping ahead 9-3 and then 12-6. The Cougars consistently made it difficult for Whiteford to create quality swings in return. 

Marowelli said the crowd added to an environment that brought out the best in her team.

“When parents show up and the student section shows up, it makes the environment that much better,” she said. “We create our own energy, but it makes a difference and I tell them that.”

Lenawee Christian’s balance was on display throughout the match. Sophomore outside hitter Hattie Fansler led the Cougars with 13 kills, continuing an impressive start after also leading the team offensively as a freshman last season, as well as this year.

“[Fansler is] fantastic,” Marowelli said. “She’s a leader and she’s also a captain this year as a sophomore. She’s a fantastic skill leader, but she also just knows the game so much that she can make plays happen.”

Middle hitters Ava Feick and Gigi Masters recorded eight kills apiece. Feick added four blocks, while Masters finished with five. Zoe Cherfan contributed eight kills, Leah Sherman led the defense with 16 digs, and Brynn Davis directed the offense with 33 assists while adding three blocks.

Although the first two sets belonged to LCS, Whiteford refused to go quietly.

The Bobcats took a lead early in the third set and moved ahead 11-10. Lenawee Christian regained a 15-13 advantage, but Whiteford tied the set at 17 and continued pushing the Cougars until the final points.

LCS held a narrow 23-22 lead before closing out the match, with Masters delivering the winning point.

“We started off slow and nerved up, but as we settled in, we started to compete better,” Whiteford coach Janie Valdez said. “We need to be more dominant on offense. We had so many opportunities where we got them out of system and just needed to put the ball away, and we couldn’t. We need to get a better connection offensively with hitters and setters, which is to be expected when you have such a young team. It will come.”

Whiteford’s third-set response gave Valdez reason for optimism ahead of the teams’ next meeting.

“We are so young and have so much to learn,” she said. “I am excited to get another shot at them at our place.”

LCS and Whiteford will meet again on September 29, but in the meantime – Marowelli and the Cougars will relish in the victory and get ready for its next match on Thursday. 

“You can have the best skill in the world, and if you don’t have a great culture, it can ruin a season,” Marowelli said. “I’m super proud of this group. It’s very easy to love being here. We just love volleyball.”