Ludington’s volleyball team rolled to the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division title as a first-year member of the league.
The Orioles looked to keep that momentum in a tough Division 2 district semifinal against perennial power Cadillac, and they did just that early in Wednesday’s match at Reed City.
However, Ludington could not quite put the match away and Cadillac emerged with a hard-fought, five-set victory. The Orioles won the first two games, 25-12 and 25-17, before the Vikings rallied to take next two, 25-15, 27-25, and won the deciding set, 15-13.
Ludington closes with a 32-9-2 overall record. Cadillac advances to the district finals tonight (Thursday, Nov. 3) against Reed City, which defeated Big Rapids in competitive four-setter in the other district semifinal Wednesday.
“We came out hard the first two games and played really well. Going into the third game, Cadillac started blocking and we struggled to adjust,” Ludington coach Liz Holden said. “We had some tough calls that turned the last game around pretty fast, unfortunately.
“We played hard, but things just didn’t fall into place for us. We had an awesome season and I am really proud of how much these girls improved.”
Maddy Vaara led Ludington with 31 kills, 21 digs, six blocks and two aces. Keelyn Laird also had a strong match for the Orioles with 22 digs, 13 kills, four assists, two aces and one block. Jordyn Anderson had 44 assists, 12 digs, five blocks, three kills and two aces. Karlie Mesyar and Mia Pung added 25 and 16 digs, respectively, for the Orioles while Ashley McPike had five kills and four blocks and Olivia Lynn five blocks and four kills.
DIVISION 3
SHELBY BEATS RIVAL HART: Hart delivered the first punch, taking the first game 25-15, before Shelby settled in and won a Division 3 district semifinal at Mason County Central in four sets. The Tigers won 25-17, 25-15 and 25-12 in the second, third and fourth sets, respectively.
Shelby (31-8-3) advances to the district finals tonight (Thursday, Nov. 3) against Hesperia, which defeated Holton in four sets in the other district semifinal Wednesday. The Shelby-Hesperia match at Mason County Central begins at 6 p.m.
Hart closes the season with a 28-11-5 record, marking the Pirates’ first winning season in a decade.
“Wild matchup with Hart tonight,” Shelby coach Tom Weirich said. “We have had some success against them this season, but tonight they definitely delivered the first punch.
“Game 3-4 was more under our control, but Hart played well. Hart capitalized on all of our mistakes in Game 1-2 and had us chasing the ball around the gym. We were fortunate to leave the gym with a win and will need to be better if we hope to make any kind of postseason run. I think tonight showcased some of our mental toughness.”
Navea Gauthier led Shelby with 34 kills, 21 service points (six aces) and three blocks. Morgan Weirich had 24 digs and five assists, while Biloxi Lee totaled 24 digs and 20 service points (two aces). Audrey Horton totaled 34 assists for the Tigers, while Claire Gowell had 21 service points (one ace) and two kills.
For Hart, Addi Hovey had eight kills, six blocks and two digs, while Mariana VanAgtmael recorded 13 digs and Mya Chickering 12 digs and five kills. Kelsey Copenhaver added seven digs, six assists and three kills.
2022 VOLLEYBALL DISTRICTS INVOLVING WEST MICHIGAN CONFERENCE TEAMS
DIVISION 2 AT FRUITPORT
Tuesday, Nov. 1
First round: Montague d. Oakridge, 25-22, 25-20, 25-14; Fruitport d. Spring Lake, 25-22, 25-19, 19-25, 25-20
Thursday, Nov. 3
Semifinals: Orchard View vs. Montague, 5 p.m.; Whitehall vs. Fruitport, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 5
Finals: Semifinal winners, 11 a.m.
DIVISION 2 AT FREMONT
Tuesday, Nov. 1
First round: Grant d. Sparta, 8-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-22, 15-13
Thursday, Nov. 3
Semifinals: Fremont vs. Howard City Tri County, 5:30 p.m.; Newaygo vs. Sparta, 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 4
Finals: Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
DIVISION 2 AT REED CITY
Monday, Oct. 31
First round: Big Rapids d. Remus Chippewa Hills, 25-23, 25-12, 25-15
Wednesday, Nov. 2
Semifinals: Cadillac d. Ludington, 12-25, 17-25, 25-15, 27-25, 15-13; Reed City d. Big Rapids, 27-25, 26-24, 16-25, 25-17
Thursday, Nov. 3
Finals: Cadillac vs. Reed City, 6 p.m.
DIVISION 3 AT MASON COUNTY CENTRAL
Monday, Oct. 31
First round: Shelby d. Mason County Central, 25-11, 25-14, 25-12
Wednesday, Nov. 2
Semifinals: Hesperia d. Holton, 22-25, 25-12, 25-20, 25-21; Shelby d. Hart, 15-25, 25-17, 25-15, 25-12
Thursday, Nov. 3
Finals: Hesperia vs. Shelby, 6 p.m.
DIVISION 3 AT FENNVILLE
Tuesday, Nov. 1
First round: Western Michigan Christian d. Fennville, 25-13, 25-15, 25-13
Thursday, Nov. 3
Semifinals: Holland Black River vs. Saugatuck, 5:30 p.m.; North Muskegon vs. Western Michigan Christian, 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 4
Finals: Semifinal winners, 6 p.m.
DIVISION 3 AT WHITE CLOUD
Monday, Oct. 31
First round: Morley Stanwood d. Lakeview, 25-10, 25-11, 25-15
Wednesday, Nov. 2
Semifinals: White Cloud d. Ravenna, 18-25, 28-26, 17-25, 25-19, 15-8; Kent City d. Morley Stanwood, 25-19, 25-13, 22-25, 18-25, 15-9
Thursday, Nov. 3
Finals: White Cloud vs. Kent City, 6 p.m.
DIVISION 3 AT MANISTEE
Monday, Oct. 31
Semifinals: Elk Rapids d. Traverse City St. Francis, 25-19, 25-18, 25-22; Benzie Central d. Manistee, 25-15, 25-22, 25-20
Thursday, Nov. 3
Finals: Elk Rapids vs. Benzie Central, 7 p.m.
