Howell ends 20-match losing streak in volleyball rivalry with Brighton
BRIGHTON — Thirteen years of frustration against one of its biggest volleyball rivals ended Tuesday night for Howell.
The Highlanders not only snapped a 20-match losing streak to Brighton, but did so with a 25-22, 25-23, 25-18 sweep.
“Brighton’s always really good,” 10th-year coach Jayne Williams said after beating the Bulldogs for the first time. “Part of it is just building our confidence and believing in ourselves. It’s not Brighton’s strongest year, but it’s always Brighton for us. To take this match and take it in three was pretty significant.”
The last time Howell beat Brighton was in a marathon 25-22, 11-25, 35-37, 28-26, 15-6 match on Oct. 20, 2009 when Ashley Parsons was the Highlanders’ head coach.
Howell was able to come back from early deficits in the first two games.
“A few times, we were down multiple points,” Williams said. “There was always that hesitation after we won the first one that we’d let up. We didn’t. We continued to make adjustments and we continued to battle and our block did an amazing job tonight. We played what we’ve known for a while, at least as coaches, what we’re able to do. Hopefully, now the girls will see the level they’re able to play and we’re able to carry it from there.”
Ruby Earl had 11 kills, eight digs and two aces; Emerson Baum had 11 kills; Chloe Kiser had 37 assists; Delaney Gillett had 13 digs and two aces; Reese Williams had six kills and three aces; and Macy Frantti had six kills for Howell.
The Highlanders bounced back from a 23-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-20 loss to their other rival, Hartland, last week.
“Overall, we just played more consistently than we’ve played in a little bit,” Williams said. “With the fight we had against Hartland, we didn’t have the consistency. Tonight, we definitely had more consistency.
“It goes back to that confidence. They’ve known they’re better than what the records show or the games show. Hopefully, this helps them see, ‘Yep, we can do better than what we at times have played.’ ”
Brighton, which reached the regional championship match last season, is 12-13-1 and has gone 3-9 in its last 12 matches as injuries have mounted.
“It’s been one of those years,” Brighton coach Scott Pitcher said. “I had great expectations. I didn’t account for having this type of season. I’ve got to find a way to be a little better coach, putting kids in better situations with the personnel I can put on the court. As a coach, I get to keep learning.”
Despite the injuries, Pitcher credited Howell for a strong effort.
“Lea (Gage) had a solid night serving in the first two sets, but after that Howell was just very gritty,” Pitcher said. “They kept finding ways to send the ball back over. Our hitters did not do a good job of seeing the blocks in front of them. Howell had a lot of touches coming back our way. You’ve got to give Howell credit for that.”
Abby Mainka had 14 kills and Megan Jagst had two solo blocks and four assisted blocks for Brighton.
The teams could meet again in the district at Brighton, which runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 4.
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillKhan.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Howell ends 20-match losing streak in volleyball rivalry with Brighton
