‘IT’S JUST A BLESSING’
Return of Aly Borellis sparks Notre Dame to sweep of Country Day in D2 quarterfinal
PORT HURON » Throughout most of the 2021 prep season, the Notre Dame Prep volleyball team had established itself as arguably the best in all of Michigan.
The Irish were the lone squad to defeat defending D1 state champion Marian, and were unbeaten deep into the season.
Then, Miss Volleyball finalist Aly Borellis suffered a dislocated thumb during the Beast of the East Tournament in mid-October, putting her on the sidelines indefinitely.
The Irish suffered their only loss following the injury and went into the postseason with Borellis watching from the bench, unsure if she’d be able to finish out her prep career on the floor.
Tuesday night, Borellis returned to the court with a taped-up hand, and her presence sparked the top-ranked Irish to a 25-15, 25-23, 25-18 win over No. 4 Detroit Country Day.
“It’s just a blessing,” Borellis said. “This whole time I didn’t even know if I was coming back.
I feel so blessed to be able to play against with this great team that I love.”
Along with the injury to Borellis, fellow senior Sophia Sudzina sprained her ankle just two days prior and was also questionable to play on Tuesday. However, she also played through some pain and added to the NDP (61-1) attack.
“Both of them did it for the team. They both knew if we if we were going to win that we needed them and their leadership and what they can do with the ball,” NDP coach Betty Wroubel said. “It was a great team effort. I am very proud of the kids. I don’t know that 24 hours ago we thought this would happen.”
The Irish were able to set the tone from the start, jumping out to a commanding 20-10 lead in the opening set, as Country Day (30-7-1) didn’t have an answer early for the Irish’s defense and array of attacks.
“They take care of the ball pretty well and they do a nice job placing their out-of-system balls. They also serve tough,” DCD coach Kim Lockhart said of Notre Dame Prep. “You really have to be at your best when
you play them because they don’t make a lot of mistakes.”
Country Day would put together its best run in the second set, as they fought back from a 12-5 deficit to eventually tie the set at 2222.
With senior outside hitter Morgan Lockhart out with a knee injury, it would be seniors Serena Nyambio and Nyla Muskovin, along with junior Laurece Abraham, that would consistently put away points or come up with blocks to lead the rally.
The Irish took a 23-22 advantage in the second set on a block, and followed it up with a kill from Sudzina to go up 24-22. Country Day disputed the point, as earlier in the set they felt Borellis took an attack from the front row as a designated back-row player. The refs consulted after the point, but awarded it to the Irish.
NDP would eventually finish off the set at 25-23 behind a kill from senior Bianca Giglio.
“It was a pretty crucial moment and it definitely was a swing in the game, especially because we had some momentum building throughout that second set,” Lockhart said of the 24-22 points. “That’s a game-changer right there and it’s unfortunate. We feel they didn’t make the right call.”
In the third set, Country Day led 7-5 early, but the Irish went on a 10-0 run behind the serving of senior libero Josie Bloom to take a 15-7 lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
Bloom had three aces in the rally, and was also a standout defender throughout the match to keep the Irish in key points.
“Josie Bloom, you can’t overlook what she brings to our defense. She’s such a calming presence and just so steady,” Wroubel said.
Borellis gave the Irish a kill to set up match point, and Giglio would be the
one to put things away once again and punch NDP’s ticket to a fifth consecutive trip to Battle Creek.
“Anytime you’re on this stage and you have players that have been on the big stage of Battle Creek, it helps. This group, four of the nine seniors have been four-year starters and have been (in Kellogg Arena) on the court. They were leaders back then as well,” Wroubel said. “Coach Lockhart has a tremendous team and a very-talented team. It says a lot about our girls to be able to get past them.”
Since winning the 2017 Class B state championship, the Irish finished runner-up in Division 2 in 2018 and semifinalists each of the last two seasons.
The Irish will face either Niles, or the three-time defending D2 champions, Grand Rapids Christian, in the state semifinals on Friday at 4:30 p.m. from Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek.
“It’s an amazing team that we just beat and it’s another amazing team we
will play on Friday. It’s just great that this group will be able to play at least one more match together and be able to do it again in Battle Creek,” Borellis said. “We have really worked hard these last few months to get this moment. It really warms my heart.”
Country Day has been one of the most talented teams in Division 2 over recent years, but the Yellowjackets have run into the Irish in the postseason each of the last three years. DCD graduates a strong senior class, led by Miss Volleyball runner-up Nyambio, who is going on to Michigan to continue her volleyball career.
“Before they came here, Country Day wasn’t really a volleyball school. These seniors really left their mark and have people talking about Country Day volleyball,” Lockhart said of her seniors. “It’s great to see what the program has grown to and what they have left for their younger players to build on. They should be very proud.”