Imlay City’s Emma Keeping connects on shot during a match last fall.
IMLAY CITY — The Imlay City varsity volleyball team opened their 2023 campaign with a 1-3 mark last Saturday at the Motor City Madness Power Series.
The tournament contested at Trinity Health Sports Center in Livonia featured some of the top Division 1 teams in the state.
“The power series is an excellent opportunity for us to play high level competition,” Imlay City Coach Rachel Van Dyk commented. “We went to three games (best two out of three) in three out of our four matches which really tested our determination and stamina,” she noted.
“We would rather play great competition and lose than play average teams and win. There is so much opportunity for learning and growth when we play teams that are more physical than we are. We have an awesome group of girls and we are so excited to see our growth as we continue to challenge ourselves.”
Imlay City began their four-match tournament stint with a 21-25, 25-18, 15-12 win against Stoney Creek. That was followed by a 20-25, 22-25 loss to Clarkston; a 25-22, 15-25, 11-15 setback to South Lyon; and a 25-22, 13-25, 17-19 loss to Bloomfield Hills.
Emma Keeping (22 kills) Makayla Bruman (21) and Chloe Bruman (20) supplied Imlay City’s best hitting numbers.
Makayla Bruman and Keeping handled the bulk of Imlay City’s playmaking responsibilities. They managed 35 and 25 assists, respectively. Lexa Forti added nine assists to the Spartans’ cause.
Forti notched Imlay City’s highest dig output, collecting 43. She was backed by Chloe Bruman and Makayla Bruman (26 each), Yannet Zepeda (22), Keeping (18).
Makenzie Craven (four), Makayla Bruman and Keeping (two apiece) and Zepeda (one) furnished Imlay City’s blocks.
Makayla Bruman (six), Zepeda (five), Chloe Bruman and Keeping (two each) along with Forti (one) added Imlay City’s ace serves.
Kevin Kissane
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.
