PORTAGE – Lakeview experienced a long run in the postseason a year ago. However, many of the players on this year’s team didn’t spend a lot of time on the floor during that unexpected regional championship.
So, this year’s tournament is all new. However, Lakeview is hoping to duplicate those efforts.
The Spartans took the first step in doing that as they won their tourney opener, beating Sturgis in district play.
Lakeview defeated Sturgis 3-0 in a Division 1 district semifinal volleyball game at Portage Central High School on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
MORE: Volleyball districts get started; Harper Creek, Coldwater advance out of first round
“We have a whole lot of new bodies this year, so we wanted to take it one point at a time and not get overwhelmed. Our focus was, if someone gets down, let’s come together as a team and build each other up as we start this new postseason with a new group,” Lakeview coach Renee Buchholz
With the 25-18, 25-13, 25-13 win, Lakeview advances to the district final on Friday at Portage Central. In the first year under Buchholz last season, an unranked Spartan team were district champs and advanced all the way to the state quarterfinals. Lakeview graduated eight seniors off of that team and only brough back four players with varsity experience.
“Last year, a lot of people took us for granted,” Buchholz said. “So we said, we can’t do that to other teams this year. Other teams don’t know what to expect out of us this year. It’s just about whoever shows up that night.”
The Spartans started slow, trailing 13-6 in the first set. However, Lakeview relaxed from there and dominated play the rest of the way. Sydney Manning led Lakeview with 10 kills and six digs with Lanie Overbeek adding nine kills and 13 digs and Leighton Birmingham and Abbigail Taft each chipping in eight kills. Madeleine Thawnghmung had 12 assists and 12 digs with Abbigail Kline coming up with 11 digs and Emerson Manning adding nine digs.
“In the beginning, there were some jitters maybe. We also didn’t have the intensity,” Buchholz said. “Then we took a moment as a team during at timeout and talked about putting everything out of their minds and just have fun. And, it all worked out from there.”
In the other half of the district, Portage Central defeat Coldwater, 3-2. Lakeview will face Portage Central in a district final at 5 p.m. Friday.
Division 1 at Plainwell
Gull Lake saw its season come to an end with a 3-2 loss to Caledonia. The Blue Devils finish the year at 17-15-1. Caledonia advances to the district final to play the winner of Plainwell vs. Kalamazoo Central.
Division 2 at Vicksburg
Harper Creek is heading back to the district championship game after coming up with a 3-2 win over host Vicksburg in this Division 2 semifinal matchup. The Beavers won 19-25, 25-19, 27-25, 24-26, 15-12, and will face Three Rivers in the district title match at 10 a.m. Saturday. Three Rivers advanced with a 3-0 win over Paw Paw to improve to 29-11-3. Harper Creek is 29-21-1. Camille Robinson returned from injury and led Harper Creek with 29 kills and 18 digs. Taegen Anderson had 12 kills and 13 digs with Krista Brannen adding 14 kills and five digs. Ella Brannen chipped in 14 digs with six kills as Jade Phillips came up with 24 digs.
Division 2 at Eaton Rapids
Marshall defeated host Eaton Rapids 25-23, 25-9, 23-25, 25-16, in district semifinal action on Wednesday. Brynn Johnson led Marshall with 23 kills, 15 digs and three aces. Grace Shubert added seven kills and Peyton Tarmnel had six kills in a balanced offensive attack. Defensively, Jordyn St. John had 23 digs and four aces with Addie Carden directed the team with 38 assists. Marshall (32-11-5) advances to the district final at 6 p.m. Thursday vs. Parma Western (39-9-3).
Division 3 at Bronson
Host Bronson swept Centreville in a Division 3 semifinal, 25-14, 25-9, 25-23. The Vikings will play in a district final Thursday at home against Galesburg-Augusta. Galesburg-Augusta (22-5-4) defeated Union City (24-19-2), 3-0.
Division 4 at St. Philip
The Division 4 district at St. Philip will continue with the semifinals on Thursday with the Tigers hosting Athens. The district championship game has been moved to 5 p.m. on Friday.
Division 4 at Colon
The Division 4 district at Colon continues Thursday with the semifinals as host Colon will see Mendon.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Lakeview advances to Division 1 district final in volleyball; Harper Creek wins
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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