MILAN – Airport got Milan’s attention.
The Jets grabbed the opening set of the championship match of the Division 2 volleyball district Milan was hosting on Thursday, Nov. 6.
“The first set was different that we expected,” Milan coach Sarah Eliason said. “Airport surprised us. We had not seen a team play with as much grit as Airport.”
Milan found some grit of its own, sweeping the next three sets to capture its third district titles in four years 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-12.
“We started playing as one unit,” Eliason said. “Our serving was super aggressive, our defense would not allow the ball to touch the floor and our offense picked up.”
Milan won district championships in in 2022 and 2023.
“We lost to Tecumseh in the district finals last year,” Eliason said. “Nobody on this team remotely wanted to be done. They knew we had to win today to keep going.”
Eliason said libero Laila Frye had a great night.
“Liala Frye was all over the court, she said. “She wasn’t letting them score.Setter Madison Slack distributed the ball well and Lana Pacholke and Alexis Vance controlled the middle.
Milan takes a 20-8-1 record to the regional at Flat Rock Tuesday.
“We fought all night against a really good team,” said Airport coach Janelle Nagy. “Milan is tough to beat and they have some really great players. To take that first set was huge for us. We had the momentum and we lost it. I’m proud of the way we played as a team we just couldn’t capitalize. This group of girls are special and I’m proud of them! Myah Hoppert played lights out on defense tonight and Madi Boehm ended another night with 20 digs.”
THURSDAY’S MATCHES
Division 4 at Lenawee Christian
ADRIAN – Summerfield fell 25-16, 25-19, 25-17 to host Lenawee Christian in the district finals.
Riley Soldwish recorded 16 assists and 5 digs, Jaeli Jones 10 kills, and Maya Stone 15 digs.
The Bulldogs finish with a 19-9-2 record.
Division 1 at Trenton
New Boston Huron turned back Huron League foe Riverview 25-19, 27-25, 25-16 in the district semifinals.
“It wasn’t our best game given that we had to play around another injury from just the other night,” Huron coach Devon Newman said. “Glad to see the girls play hard regardless and earn the win.”
The Chiefs will play Trenton in the finals at 6 p.m. Friday.
“Tomorrow will be tough as we take on Trenton so we need to get comfortable with the changes we are faced with,” Newman said.
Division 2 at Romulus
ROMULUS – Flat Rock moved into the finals with a 25-3, 25-8, 25-12 sweep of Romulus.
“The game last night was a team effort,” Flat Rock coach Morgan Delhey said. “We’re excited going into finals.”
Hannah Hesse surpassed 2,000 career assists and Jaclynn Motyka (5 kill, 2 aces), Jaliynah Cerroni (4 kills) and Riley Kujat (3 kills, 1 ace) led the hitters for the 34-8 Rams.
Flat Rock will play Grosse Ile in the finals at 6 p.m. Friday. The Red Devils beat Summit Academy 25-12, 25-7, 25-6.
WEDNESDAY’S MATCHES
Division 3 at SMCC
SMCC was very efficient in dispatching Erie Mason 25-11, 25-5, 25-12.
“We played a very disciplined game and took advantage of opportunities when given,” SMCC coach Kim Windham said. “We need to continue to play with the same high energy on Saturday.”
The Kestrels will play Clinton for the title at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Olivia Beaudrie (10 kills, 5 digs) and Madeline Dettling (9 kills, 9 digs) both missed significant time with injuries this season, but were back to their dominant play in the semis.
Adela Illes added 8 kills, Quinn Harrington 7 kills, Alexa Turner 4 kills, 10 assists and 8 digs and Reese Foster 22 assists.
Kaylee Wright had 11 assists for 13-14-3 Mason while Jayanna Willets added 9 digs, Addie Homich 6 kills and Kensey Kreger 3 blocks.
“Not how we wanted to end our season,” Mason coach Kayle Scott said.
Whiteford’s Addeson Cousino topped 1,500 career assists with 37 in a 25-22, 25-12, 28-30, 25-13 loss to Clinton.
Kailee LaVoy (12 kills), Maylie Mullins (11 kills, 12 digs), Bailey Sprading (11 kills, 14 digs), Jenna Frye (10 kills) and Savannah Seevers (13 digs) played well for the 21-13 Bobcats.
“Super proud of how we battled against a good team,” Whiteford coach Janie Bunge said. “We will miss our seven seniors.”
Division 2 at Milan
Huron League foes Milan and Airport set up another battle by winning semifinal matches.
Milan cruised past Jefferson 25-9 25-8 25-9 as Annika Koch delivered a strong performance at outside hitter.
Aubree Higgins and Laila Frye had strong matches that included long runs as the service line.
“I’m proud of my team for staying aggressive, consistent, and positive,” Milan coach Sarah Eliason said. “During a low scoring game, it was easy to lose focus but they knew how we played Wednesday affected (the finals) Thursday. We have good momentum going into the final game.”
Airport had a tougher time getting past Ida, earning a 25-19, 25-21, 16-25, 25-13 victory.
Jillian Baker had no hitting errors in the four-set match and Peyton Zajac and Joelle Shrewsbury combined for 54 assists.
Renee Shrewsbury rang up16 kills and 12 digs and 4 aces, Chloe Ruhlig 12 kills, Julia Dyson 11 kills and 3 blocks and Madi Boehm 20 digs.
The finals are scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight.
Division 1 at Belleville
Olivia Eby logged 29 assists as Bedford cruised past Ypsilanti Lincoln 25-12, 25-15, 25-18.
She ran a balanced offense as Anna Gray, Lucy Monahan and Hayden Fausze finished with 8 kills each. Kiersten Soss led the defense with 14 digs.
The Mules will play Saline in the finals at 6:30 p.m. Friday after the Hornets stung Monroe 25-19, 25-12, 26-24 in the other semifinal.
Division 4 at Lenawee Christian
Jaeli Jones logged 12 kills and 11 digs to lead Summerfield to a 26-24, 25-27, 25-20 victory over Addison.
Bridget Salenbien added 6 kills, Gabi Myshock 2 solo blocks and Riley Soldwish 26 assists.
“The Bulldogs played scrappy defense,” coach Grace Slinker said.
Summerfield will meet Lenawee Christian, which handled Morenci in the other semifinal Wednesday, in the championship match at 6 p.m. Friday.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Milan bounces back after losing first set to top Airport in finals
Reporting by Niles Kruger, The Monroe News / The Monroe News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
