15 quarterfinal a roberts

B

Shelby 3, Morley-Stanwood 0 Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart 3, Pentwater 2 Brown City 3, Shelby 2

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Manistee @ Cadillac, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOV. 19

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Portage Northern @ Manistee, 8 p.m.

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Sports November 17, 2016

Volleyball

Shelby @ State Finals, Kellogg Arena, 12 p.m. (if necessary)

Quarterfinal triumph slips away “I’m looking forward to next season

Tigers take 2-0 lead, but Brown City roars back to steal match

By Andy Roberts Herald-Journal Writer SAGINAW - The Shelby Tigers were so close to Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, but the history-making accomplishment slipped away at Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Tuesday night.

Shelby could smell a final four berth after taking the first two games of Tuesday’s state quarterfinal match against Brown City, but the sixthranked Green Devils roared back to win the last three games and the match, 22-25, 20-25, 25-16, 25-12, 15-8.

Brown City showed off its mettle in surging back after the Tigers had dominated the first two games, playing almost mistake-free volleyball in the process.

“When you have a two-game lead, you think you can finish that,” Shelby coach Tom Weirich said. “It’s a testament to Brown City’s mental toughness to battle the way they did. They did better tonight than they did on film and in game one and two, so hats off to them.”

Despite starting slow in each of the first two games, Shelby persevered by not making errors and taking advantage of miscues by the Green Devils.

The Tigers staved off a 3-0 run late in the opening game thanks in part to a kill by Jaren Smith that made it 23-21.

Back-to-back errors by Brown City closed the game.

The Tigers fell behind 4-0 in game two, but wasted no time roaring into

already,” Weirich said. “These kids have played in some of the biggest games any kid will ever play in their life. Right now, it stings, but we’ll be back,”

— Tom Weirich Shelby volleyball coach

Andy Roberts • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

Left, Shelby’s Kasey Morse (11) and Brown City’s Becki Krause battle for the ball at the net. Above, Shelby’s Jaren Smith (8) fields a serve against Brown City during Tuesday’s state quarterfinal match. The Tigers’ McKenna Peters (3) and Amy England look on. Shelby lost, 3-2.

an 8-7 lead and built the advantage up to as much as eight, again taking full advantage of mistakes by the opponent. McKenna Peters would deliver the killshot for game two, and the large purple-clad portion of the crowd

felt the victory in Shelby’s grasp.

That was when Brown City came to life in a huge way. Almost as if a switch had been flipped, the Green Devils looked every bit the sixthranked team in the state over the fi-

nal three games, and try as the Tigers might, they could do little to stall the momentum. Only once over the last three games did Shelby manage to score more than three points in a row, as the miscues that defined the first two games for Brown City vanished.

“They found the floor a lot better,”

Weirich said. “They serve received a lot better. We were serving tough in those first couple games. They got the ball to their setter more efficiently the rest of the night. They run a nice of-

QUARTERFINAL TRIUMPH SLIPS AWAY continued on 3b

Falcons nearly climb Sacred Heart mountain

Andy Roberts • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

Shelby’s volleyball team celebrates shortly after scoring the final point in Thursday’s three-game sweep of MorleyStanwood in a regional final match at Beal City.

David Bossick • Shoreline Media

Pentwater’s Taylor Wilkinson (right) spikes a ball toward the block of Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s Sophie Ruggles (15) and Michele Hubbard during a regional championship match Thursday at Sacred Heart. The Irish won, 3-2

Pentwater seizes 2-1 lead, but Irish rally to eliminate Falcons for 4th straight year

By David Bossick Shoreline Media

MOUNT PLEASANT — Pentwater pushed Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart into a fifth and deciding set in an MHSAA Class D regional championship match Thursday at Sacred Heart, but the Irish came away with the title, 25-21, 23-25, 2325, 25-17, 15-8.

Although Sacred Heart picked up the victory, both coaches felt their roles were reversed to a degree.

“I sat, and I wondered, I can’t believe we just lost,” Pentwater coach Kerry Newberg said.

“For how well we played tonight, I felt we played better than they did. I really did.

“I sat down and was like, ‘Did we just lose that? We did.

I’m very proud of the girls. We never even won a set against this team before. To take them to five, it was pretty good.”

“I’m not even sure how we won that game, to be honest with you,” Sacred Heart coach Krista Davis said. “It was such a blur and a whirlwind. I know we started passing better. We started finally to get some decent defense and get our ball to Sophie (Ruggles).”

Sacred Heart (34-14-4) eliminated the Falcons as well as advanced to the Class D state quarterfinal for the fourth consecutive season. The Irish will face third-ranked Class D powerhouse Leland at Buckley High School next Tuesday.

The fifth set proved to be most decisive and more than in the obvious ways. Sacred Heart soared to a 5-1 lead right away.

“There’s an old volleyball saying that when you go to five, and you only go to 15 points, you have to play games to five.

Whoever gets to five first, then you’ve got to get to 10 first,”

Davis said. “You have to break up that fifth set that way. I feel that if you get to five first, your chances of winning are a lot greater. If you get a little bit of a lead, you just don’t have a lot of time to get it back with only 15 points.”

Newberg used both of her timeouts quickly to help get the Falcons (32-12-3) back on track, but Sacred Heart didn’t let up.

“That set five is always about momentum,” Newberg said.

“The team that starts set five with the momentum always wins, so we said let’s hurry up and get that first pass and let’s pound it. When we didn’t, I think the air just kind of blew out of them. We couldn’t get it back defensively.”

Instead, the blocking of junior middle hitter Ruggles with senior Jodi Hauck did in the Falcons.

“I sat down and

was like, ‘Did we just lose that?

We did. I’m very proud of the girls.

We never even won a set against this team before.

To take them to five, it was pretty good,”

— Kerry Newberg Pentwater volleyball coach

“They found the block that they didn’t find a lot earlier in the night, but they found it in the fifth set,” Newberg said.

Pentwater raced out to a quick lead in the first set, setting a tone far different than

FALCONS FALL IN FINAL continued on 3b

Tigers sweep Morley for regional title

By Andy Roberts Herald-Journal Writer

BEAL CITY — You never know when the turning point of a postseason game will be. Thursday night for Shelby in a regional finals match against Morley-Stanwood, it came in game one.

The Tigers, trailing big early and again by four points late, fought off four consecutive game points in a remarkable rally, sparking them to a 26-24, 25-17, 25-17 sweep of the Mohawks. The win brought Shelby its first regional championship in volleyball since 1998.

“That first game changed everything,” Shelby coach Tom Weirich said. “If we lose that one, all of a sudden they (Morley) have new life on their whole season. By not giving up on that game, it set the tone for the rest of the night.”

Shelby had entered the match confident, even thinking of itself as the favorite, despite the lack of experience on this stage. That confidence could have been shaken by a rough start that saw the Mohawks score the first four points and take leads of 6-1 and 9-3.

However, Shelby fought back, finally taking the lead at 17-16 on a Morley error. The Mohawks weren’t done, though, and surged back into the lead behind some overpowering kills from star Raven Hoskins. Soon Shelby trailed 24-20, a situation even the best teams find it tough to escape.

Playing with P-F-E-O — Play For Each Other — written on their knuckles, Shelby did just that. McKenna Peters responded with a kill, and consecutive double-hit violations by Morley pulled Shelby within a point. The real

TIGERS WIN TITLE continued on 3b

Oceana’s Herald-Journal • November 17, 2016 • 3b

Hart’s Albus signs with Cornerstone University

By David Bossick Shoreline Media

Andy Roberts • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

Shelby’s Jaren Smith (8) winds up for an attack against Brown City’s Annie Schlaud (8) and Alexia Mason (6) during Tuesday’s quarterfinal matchup at Saginaw Nouvel Catholic. The Green Devils won, 3-2.

Quarterfinal triumph slips away fense once they get the ball to their setter.”

Game four in particular was rough for Shelby, which hung tough early on, trailing 9-7, before Brown City completely dominated the rest of the way.

The Green Devils had the last seven points and soared into game five on a wave of emotion.

To Shelby’s credit, the Tigers did not go quietly in the fifth

game despite that wave. The score was tied at four early in game five, and was very nearly tied at seven. A Peters attack attempt looked to be dropping in, but Brown City was able to chase the ball down and get it back over the net, ultimately scoring the point.

“That was a huge point,” Weirich said. “Sometimes when the ball is falling your way, you get those. The volley-

Andy Roberts • Oceana’s Herald-Journal

Shelby junior McKenna Peters (right) goes for a tip kill against Morley-Stanwood’s Breanna Berry during Thursday’s regional final at Beal City. Peters led Shelby to a 3-0 victory.

Tigers win title

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spark, though, came when Tori Mussell turned back Hoskins’ attack on the next point, tying the score.

“For Tori, that was tremendous,” senior Brooke James said. “We were just yelling from the bench.”

The momentum change was clear, and when a Morley miscommunication saw the ball drop in on the next point, Shelby smelled blood. Jaren Smith delivered the next kill, ending game one and giving the Tigers a huge boost.

“They came out and punched us in the mouth that first game,” Weirich said. “We had some big serves toward the end that forced them out of their system. We had some critical play at the net where we turned some balls back on them. That sets up our offense for success.”

Perhaps aiding Shelby’s mental mettle in that opening game was a talk they’d had with a certain member of that 1998 regional title team, which went on to the semifinals: girls basketball coach Sarah Wolting.

“It was honestly so exciting,” James said of Wolting’s talk.

“We want to be in that situation, so hearing about it, the surreal moment of it all...we want to be better.”

The Tigers didn’t leave much doubt over the final two games.

In the second game, Shelby swiftly grabbed a commanding lead at 12-3 and held three different double-digit advantages.

Morley cut that lead to 20-15 at one point, but Shelby never let the game get away.

Shelby went ahead 13-8 in the final game, but the Mo-

hawks rallied to tie it at 15.

Smith stepped up with another kill out of a timeout, though, and the Tigers looked back in form the rest of the way.

Smith and Peters, much like in last Tuesday’s semifinal matchup, were dominant.

Smith took on the starring role in the semis, and this time it was Peters overwhelming the Mohawks, dialing up 21 kills and 23 digs. Smith added 17 kills and 14 digs, and served up four aces too.

“They’re both pushing 500 kills on the season, which is a number that’s pretty stout in the whole state of Michigan,” Weirich said. “They’ll both be on the all-state ballot somewhere.

They’re too good to pass up.”

Smith and Kasey Morse’s four aces led a sterling job of serving by the Tigers, but maybe the most remarkable serves came off the hand of James, who led some key runs. Her performance was all the more remarkable considering she had at one point been pulled off serving duty due to some struggles.

“During the season, I was lacking a little bit of confidence,” James said. “But I’m a senior, so I need to step up. I felt like I need to play for my girls. This is for them. I know I have a great defense backing me up, so I can just put my serve in no matter what it is.”

Shelby moved on to face #6 Brown City in the quarterfinals at Saginaw Nouvel Catholic. A win would send the Tigers to Kellogg Arena.

“Every game is just one more match,” Weirich said. “We’re just one more match away from doing something special here.”

from Page 1b

ball gods sometimes play some tricks on you. They got a hand on that one and it rattled around and came back over.”

The pivotal point turned game five around, and Shelby would only score twice more the rest of the way. The Tigers got the ball back down 14-8 facing long odds, and Kasey Morse’s serve went into the net to put an end to any thoughts of a miracle comeback.

Morse had a good night for Shelby, though, recording 39 assists on a night in which Brown City’s attacks made it tough for her to get the ball cleanly from her teammates.

She also had three aces, as did Peters. Jaren Smith had 20 kills and Peters had 14, and Amy England’s 19 digs led the team.

Smith and Peters each chipped in 17.

“They’re quality athletes, quality kids,” Weirich said. “To see them sad makes me sad more than the loss. Their relationships they have with their teammates, their peers, their teachers, they’re an outstanding group of kids that in my mind deserve more.

“That one is going to hurt for a while. I told them, let’s not forget how that feels. That’s going to be fuel rather than something that holds us back.”

The silver lining for Shelby is that this Tigers’ team was likely a year ahead of schedule. Brooke James is the only statistical leader on the roster that will graduate in the spring, and the remainder of the major players now have a wealth of experience to draw upon.

“I’m looking forward to next season already,” Weirich said.

“These kids have played in some of the biggest games any kid will ever play in their life.

Right now, it stings, but we’ll be back.”

HART — Cornerstone University cross country and track coach Rod Wortley has been chasing down Hart’s Sierra Albus for a little while, looking to convince the senior to run for his program.

Albus slowed down enough on Thursday to sign her National Letter of Intent to run for his programs starting next year.

Albus said she had several options, but the NAIA program in Grand Rapids proved to be a fit.

“I really liked their Christian environment, and I wanted to surround myself with their Christian environment. I really liked that. I liked the people there as well. I spent the night and I was able to hang out with some of the track and cross country girls, and that was a lot of fun,” she said. “I want to be an elementary teacher, and a missionary, and a singer. They have that also.”

Hart cross country coach Terry Tatro said he’s enjoyed seeing Albus grow both personally and as an athlete for several years.

“We’ve had her for five years, since middle school, and it’s just great to see her progress through those years and become a better runner and a nicer person each year,” he said. “She’s had a great season, and a great career here at Hart High School. One of the best that I’ve coached in the 18 years I’ve been here.”

David Bossick • Shoreline Media

Hart’s Sierra Albus, right, signs her National Letter of Intent to run track and cross country for NAIA Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids. At left is Cornerstone coach Rod Wortley.

Her new coach said Albus will fit right into one of the elite NAIA programs in the country. Under Wortley, Cornerstone has been to 28 straight NAIA indoor and outdoor track national championships with 16 other trips in cross country. He’s produced 54 AllAmericans and 50 All-America Scholar-Athlete Awards.

“She comes from a good program. Just watching her develop over the years, the amount of improvement (she had) in her junior and senior year says that’s someone that can continue to the next level,” Wortley said. “Getting to know her, she (comes from) a great family (and has a) great atti-

tude. She loves to run and she loves people, and those things can make a difference because college can be a bit of a grind sometimes.”

Albus said she considered a handful of other schools, including some out of state. Oral Roberts, an NCAA Division I school in Oklahoma, was one, as were NAIA Taylor University in Indiana and Indiana Wesleyan, another NAIA school.

All of the schools Albus mentioned are Christian colleges, and she said faith did play a role in her decision.

“I’ve been praying a lot and relying on God to help me through this. This is a big decision,” she said.

• Contributed photo

Wildcats’ Merten headed to Lake Superior State

Walkerville star runner Emily Merten (in front) put pen to paper Monday and made the decision to run at the next level, joining the Lake Superior State Lakers cross-country and track teams.

Lake Superior competes at the NCAA Division II level. Merten achieved a rare feat by qualifying for the MHSAA cross-country state finals five times during her career, finishing all-state on three of those occasions. “Merten is looking forward to the challenge of running at the collegiate level as she trades in her red Wildcat uniform for a blue Laker jersey,” Walkerville superintendent Mike Sweet said. Merten is pictured with , from left, track coach Ben Van Wyk, cross-country coach Michelle Sweet and superintendent Mike Sweet.

Falcons fall in regional final last Tuesday’s five-set victory against Fruitport Calvary Christian in the regional semifinal. But the Irish rallied from a three-point deficit to take a four-point lead of their own, 16-12. The Falcons countered by ending the set on a 9-5 roll.

“The girls just battled tonight. I’m very proud, overall, of how they played,” Newberg said. “Taking that first set was key.

We wanted to start the game with momentum on their home floor, and kind of take control.”

The Irish pushed out to a lead in the second set, and even were up 23-16 at one point. The Falcons cut that down on a 6-0 run, but the Irish took the game, 25-23.

Pentwater found itself in a 2-1 set disadvantage after the third also went Sacred Heart’s way, 25-23, as some hitting errors by the Falcons late allowed the Irish to flip a Pentwater lead into an eventual Irish win.

“We started to take it one point at a time,” Davis said. “I told them to take it one point at a time. Take care of the ball.

Take care of each other. We started to play a little individual there for a little bit, so I said take care of each other and support each other. And they did that.”

The Falcons got exactly what they needed in the fourth set, a dominating victory, 25-17. The teams were deadlocked at 10-10 before senior outside hitter Linnea McDonough and junior middle hitter Taylor Wilkinson went to work with multiple kills.

“We didn’t have an answer for (McDonough) or (Wilkinson),” Davis said.

“It’s not anything we did as an adjustment,” she said in terms of getting blocks later in the match. “I think they just made

from Page 1b

David Bossick • Shoreline Media

Pentwater’s Julia Hall receives a serve against Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart as teammate Linnea McDonough and the Pentwater bench and fans look on Thursday during a regional championship match at Sacred Heart. The Irish edged Pentwater, 3-2.

some errors. And we got lucky. They just avoided us. They went over us. They went around us. They went through us. We just could not answer (McDonough) or (Wilkinson).

“And that libero (freshman Terra Cluchey). Just dug everything.”

That led to Sacred Heart’s victory in the fifth set.

Pentwater will say goodbye to a trio of seniors: Grace Alvesteffer, Anna Hofmann and McDonough.

“They’re great kids, even outside of volleyball. They are so supportive of each other. They’ve been great leaders for the girls through the years,” Newberg said.

“It’s going to be tough.”

Meanwhile, Newberg believes a powerhouse program is in the making at Pentwater as several players likely will return for next season, from Wilkinson and Cluchey to junior setter Allison McGregor, sophomore outside hitter Julia Hall and junior middle hitter Desirae Coronado among many others.

“We’re starting to build a successful program. When I first came there, it was more of like people thought it was a fluke that we were successful. Now, it’s starting catch that this is a successful program, and kids want to be a part of it,” she said.

“They want to work in the off-season, so we’re developing those players for later on.”