Trending
ESCANABA -- It was a learning experience for the Bay College Norse here Sunday as they fell to Grand Rapids Community College 3-0 (25-9, 25-15, 25-15) in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association's championship volleyball match.
"They're good every year and we're trying to get there," Norse coach Dan Porath said. "Grand Rapids is a very good team. They took us out of our game plan. I'd say they're the most complete team we've seen all year. We need to find players with a little more height. They're 5-foot-11 and six feet across the front. Our tallest player is 5-10."
Both teams were presented their regular-season championship plaques prior to the match with Bay earning the North Conference title and Grand Rapids gaining the West Conference championship.
"They're very tall," Bay sophomore setter/right-side hitter Hope Varoni said. "They're strong at the net. They're all-around a good team. This was definitely a learning experience. Although, I'm proud of our team. We've come a long way. It feels good to be going down to the district tournament. It felt real good to receive that plaque. We were definitely nervous coming into today's match, but we were also excited."
Experience was key for the Raiders, who reached the NJCAA national tournament a year ago.
"Our experience definitely makes a big difference," Raiders' coach Chip Will said. "We've had some big matches. We tried to make this trip memorable. We have a lot of sophomores who are very talented. All 16 of our players got a chance to play which makes it fun."
Sophomore outside hitter Kristyn Lothschultz, who hails from Coopersville, Mich., collected 15 kills and five digs for the Raiders, who also swept St. Clair Community College in three sets in Sunday's opener.
Vanessa Walker, a sophomore from Sparta, Mich, contributed eight kills, 21 assists and seven digs in the title match. Sophomore Kaylee Kranz added seven kills and sophomore defensive specialist Ella Thayer had 17 digs.
Thayer's seven-point service run broke open the first set, helping Grand Rapids surge to a 20-8 advantage.
Sophomore Olivia Inthout, who finished with 16 digs, added a six-point run in the second as the Raiders built a 16-6 cushion.
The Norse were within 9-6 following a kill by sophomore outside hitter Ava Maki. Walker then delivered a kill for a sideout and a 10-6 cushion, setting the stage for Inthout's run.
In the opener, Bay was within 12-8 prior to Thayer's service run.
In the finale, Bay was within 13-10 after a Raiders' service error and still within 15-11 before the Raiders began to pull away.
Sophomore outside hitter Ava Johnson provided the Norse with five kills and 10 digs. Varoni added 11 assists and 10 digs and freshman defensive specialist/libero Kharman Loya was their defensive leader with 13 digs.
"I'm not upset with the way the girls played," Porath said. "We got a lot of victories with our effort. This is the start of a lot of good things for Bay College, hopefully. This is a big step for us. We just have to keep building on what we've done to this point. I'm excited for our team. They'll be ready (for Thursday).
The Norse (17-9) will be in Grand Rapids for the Great Lakes Division B tournament where they'll open against Marian University-Plymouth Thursday noon.
Grand Rapids Community College -- Inthout (two aces, four assists, 16 digs); Mullet (two aces, one assist, two digs); Walker (one ace, eight kills, one block, 21 assists, seven digs); Kranz (one ace, seven kills, one dig); Zache (one ace, three kills, eight assists, two digs); Rozelle (one ace); Lothschultz (15 kills, one block, five digs); Powers (four kills, one dig); Hutchings (three kills, two blocks, two assists, two digs); Antor (three kills); Cochran (two kills); Slater (one kill, one block); Rowley (one block); Taylor (six assists, five digs); Inthout (four assists, 16 digs); McAlister (two assists); Thayer (one assist, 17 digs).
Bay College -- Johnson (two aces, five kills, 10 digs); Maki (two aces, three kills, one block, one dig); Jasenovsky (two aces); Schaal (four kills, one dig); Mechling (one kill); Varoni (11 assists, 10 digs); Loya (one assist, 13 digs); Tourangeau (one assist, one dig); Franz (four digs); Kiviniemi (one dig).