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MANISTIQUE -- Kingsford couldn't find an answer for Division 2 all-state volleyball player Jenna Middleton here Tuesday night.
The Kingsley senior showed why as the Stags handed the Flivvers a 3-1 (25-14, 31-33, 25-19, 25-13) loss in a Division 2 regional tournament opener.
Kingsley (49-5-1) moves on to tonight's regional final at Grayling where it will face West Branch Ogemaw Heights (29-11-3). The Flivvers finished 24-4.
"They're the defending state champions," Kingsford coach Jaclynn Kreider said. "They're obviously very good. They all did their part. We had a hard time stopping her outside. She's an all-state player for a reason. She's very good."
Middleton's nine-point service run in the fourth set all but sealed the verdict as the Stags gained a 17-5 advantage.
A kill by sophomore Mckynzee Kreider gave the Flivvers a sideout and a kill by senior Mylee Kreider shaved their deficit to 19-12.
The Flivvers, however, were unable to get any closer.
Kingsford appeared to have a glimmer of hope after taking the second set which ended on a kill by Mckynzee Kreider.
"Even after taking the second set we knew we had to battle just as hard," coach Kreider said. "We gained some belief, but knew we had to take more than one. This was still a great season. Our goal was to represent the Upper Peninsula in the regional. They had more experience than we did and way more opportunities than we do here in the U.P. It's always going to be tough."
Kingsley gained a 7-2 lead on a hitting error by Kingsford in the third set.
A Kingsley passing miscue, however, enabled the Flivvers to climb within 7-6.
Kingsford tied the score at nine on a hitting miscue by the Stags before a kill by senior Aislyn McKinley enabled them to get a sideout and regain the lead.
The Flivvers trailed 15-11 following a service ace by junior Kylen Orton.
A Stags' hitting error enabled Kingsford to climb within 15-13 before they began to pull away.
Senior Delaney Case provided the Stags with a block for a 19-13 cushion.
Kingsford got within 19-15 before the Stags surged to a 23-15 advantage on a kill by Middleton.
The Flivvers closed within 24-19 on a block that went out of bounds before the Stags closed the set on yet another kill by Middleton.
In the second set, Kingsford took a 7-6 lead on a hitting miscue by Kingsley.
Kingsford extended its lead to 11-7, forcing the Stags to use a time-out.
That set, however, was nip-n-tuck throughout before the Flivvers pulled it out.
Kingsley jumped on top early in the opener, gaining an 8-2 advantage on a kill by Middleton.
The Flivvers got within 9-5 on a kill and a block by Mylee Kreider.
Kingsford was within 15-12 prior to committing a four-hit violation.
The Flivvers were down 23-12 after a hitting miscue before a kill by Kckynzee Kreider and an ace by senior Onika Smeester trimmed their deficit to nine points.
A net violation, however, foiled the Flivvers which enabled the Stage to take the opener 25-14.
"The night was fun," coach Kreider said. "I know the score doesn't indicate, but there were some long volleys. The difference is we made errors and they really didn't make very many."