There was an ‘oh no, here we go again’ moment Tuesday night  during Lowell’s 25-11, 20-25, 26-24, 25-20 win over perennial volleyball power Grand Rapids Christian.

Ahead 23-19, the Red Arrow spikers  watched with a ticklish trepidation as the Eagles rallied to tie the game at 24-24.

“Those are the matches where we’ve fallen short over the last couple of years,” Lowell volleyball coach GiGi Peal explained.  “That was a game Christian usually wins.”

This time, though, Lowell veterans Stephanie Stevens, Arielle Nausieda and Jordan Timmer stepped up and took control. In short, the veterans refused to allow Lowell to falter this time. The Red Arrows stemmed the 4-0 run and finished the match out.

“They played their best,” Peal said.

The best may have inserted what’s been absent in Lowell’s game… a little swagger.

“Obviously the win means a lot, but the most important thing that comes from the match is the confidence the girls gain as a team and as individuals,” Peal explained.

Lowell with solid defensive play, serve receive and outstanding serving took control early as it raced to an easy 25-11 win in set number one.

Peal spoke to her club prior to taking the floor about playing with confidence and a swagger right from the start.

“The girls outworked them. They won all the long, scrappy, big rallies that are momentum changers.,” Peal explained.

Abby Petroelje led Lowell in kills with 19. Timmer has a team-high four aces and 19 kills.

“Petroelje and Timmer made some great plays to close it out,” Peal said.

With the win, Lowell must now prepare for a game with East Grand Rapids.

“We weren’t picture perfect, but hopefully we can ride the confidence into our game into East. That’s a tough serving team with a big hitter (Betsy Ronda),” Peal concluded.

Filed under: Lowell, Volleyball