Dexter Girls' Volleyball Blows Past Ann Arbor in First Home Game of Season

The girls' varsity volleyball defeated visiting Ann Arbor Skyline 25-20, 26-24, 22-25, 25-23 in Southeastern Conference action Thursday night.

In game 1, the contest was nip and tuck throughout until the Dreadnaughts went on a 6-3 run earning the victory. During the game-winning run, Josie Dusack had two aces, while Caitlen Foote and Susanna Pilkerton each recorded kills for Dexter.

In the night’s second game, the Eagles came out fighting as Hannah Cristman served four straight points, giving Skyline a 4-0 advantage. The Dreadnaughts responded, closing the Eagles’ lead to 6-3 keyed by Polly Washabuagh’s block and Elle Presley’s ace.

Skyline’s Maggie Halloran served two consecutive aces increasing the Eagles’ margin to 9-3 and forcing a Dexter time out. Off the break, Foote recorded two kills, one ace and one service point, while Olivia Cares blasted a kill, bringing Dexter back to within two points at 11-9. A Foote kill, followed by a Pilkerton service point and three straight points from Carolyn Whitaker gave the Dreads a 17-16 lead.

Skyline answered outscoring Dexter 7-3 taking a 23-20 lead as Cristman recorded a kill. The Eagles, serving for the game victory, led 24-22, when they hit the ball into the net. Cares then blocked Halloran at the net to tye the game at 24-24. Whitaker then served an ace for a 25-24 advantage, followed by a Foote kill to win the second game, 26-24.

In game three, Skyline jumped out to a 14-7 lead. The Eagles increased their lead to 20-10 before a Pilkerton kill stopped the Skyline run. A Foote kill, followed by an ace brought Dexter back to 21-17. The Eagles, however, were able to hold on at the end taking a 25-22 win.

In the fourth game, Foote scored four of Dexter’s first six points as the Dreads raced out to a 6-2 lead. The Eagles went on a 7-5 run drawing closer at 11-9. Dexter answered with a 5-2 run of its own as Foote had a kill and Cares added a block for a point sparking the Dreadnaught attack and forcing a Skyline time out. A Skyline dink over the net for a point closed Dexter’s lead to 21-20. Two Pilkerton kills gave the Dreads a 23-20 advantage. Two Halloran kills and a Cristman ace tied the game at 23-23. Foote, however, pounded two straight kills for the game and match win.

Dexter next travels to Saline for a SEC dual match at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

On Sept. 20, the Dreadnaughts host SEC foe Adrian for a contest at 7 p.m.