TRAVERSE CITY — The senior night celebration for Traverse City Christian extended into five sets as the Sabres knocked off the visiting Elk Rapids Elks in thrilling fashion at home Tuesday. The Sabres (19-18-2) defeated the Elks (24-10-1) by a 3-2 final, dropping the first set 25-22 before winning the second and third sets, 25-18 and 26-24. The Elks responded with a win in the fourth set, 26-24, and the fifth and deciding set went into extra points as well as the Sabres won 16-14.
TC Christian head coach Hannah Pohlman said the clutch win in an intense five-set match will only help prepare the Sabres for playoff action when districts begin next week. "Playing a team like Elk Rapids, who serves really tough and doesn't let up, is a great way to get us ready for the team we will see in the postseason," Pohlman said. The Sabres will take on either Grand Traverse Academy or Leland in the district semifinals at Suttons Bay on Nov.
6. The win was a big one for the two senior Sabres on the squad, as it was their last home game. Alyssa Wylie and Shelby Oster were honored before the game.
"It was great to see all of our hard work finally come together just in time to celebrate our seniors," Pohlman said. Olivia Strehl led TC Christian with 16 kills, five digs and three aces. Also contributing were Lydia Critchfield (23 assists, six kills, three digs, two aces), Scarlet Bouwmeester (nine digs, five kills, two aces) and the seniors Oster (six kills) and Wylie (six kills, two blocks).
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