WALKERVILLE — Walkerville's biggest obstacle Monday night against Muskegon Heights in district play proved to be whether the Tigers would arrive for the match at all.
There was uncertainty throughout the gym whether Heights, which also didn't participate in a GMAA tournament earlier this fall, would make the trip to Walkerville. The Tigers did ultimately come, with most of the team heading for its locker room some 10 minutes before scheduled match time. The Wildcats then made sure their visit was a short one, rolling to a 25-5, 25-5, 25-9 win.
"I thought they did stay focused," Walkerville coach Sara Jongekryg said of her team. "We had talked about that for this game and for this year, our staying focused. We prepared for whatever, and we're ready for the next game as well. Don't let up."
The Wildcats did not, keeping the ball in play on their serves and waiting for Heights to make an error. The inexperienced Tigers usually obliged. Marrison Simpson got Walkerville out to a great start from the service line as the Wildcats took a 12-1 lead and cruised to the game one win.
Things didn't change from there, as Sahriyah Griff toed the line in game two and propelled Walkerville to a 9-2 lead with a run of aces. Again, the Wildcats poured it on for an easy win. Game three was no different.
Walkerville's Isabel Babbin is unable to reel in a ball during Monday's district opener against Muskegon Heights. Despite Heights' point on this play, the Wildcats won easily, 3-0.
Jongekryg said the Wildcats have worked on playing with consistent and repeatable effort, and that work has produced results in the second half of the season.
"All their hard work is paying off," Jongekryg said. "It's coming together. The communicating is better, the attacking.
"We just focus so much on consistency. Rather than just slamming the ball as hard as you can into the wall, get it in bounds. Look across the court."
Serving cleanly was vital in a match like Monday's, where the Wildcats' only real chance of losing was making too many mistakes. That's also been a focus point for Walkerville.
"We do mostly consistency," Jongekryg said of the Wildcats' serving philosophy. "Once you reach your consistency goal, then you can work on some more fancy serves."
With the win, Walkerville earned a shot at Muskegon Catholic in the district semifinals back at home. The Wildcats faced the Crusaders in Hesperia's Volley Against Violence tournament in October, so they know what they are up against.
"We know what we're in for," Jongekryg said. "I believe they can do it if they really want it."
