Kingsford junior Cassie Olson (12) jumps to the web throughout an MHSAA Division 2 regional semifinal volleyball match towards Kingsley on Nov. 12, 2024, at Bonifas Gymnasium at Manistique Center and Excessive Faculty. (“The Massive Canine” Mitch Vosburg/Each day Press)
MANISTIQUE — At some extent of glory.
That's the state of affairs Kingsford volleyball confronted 14-12 within the fifth set of Tuesday's regional semifinals towards Kingsley at Manistique Excessive Faculty's Bonifas Gymnasium.
Flivvers took the primary two frames considerably handily. An offended Stag rally was about to fizzle out.
Then, within the blink of a watch, Kingsley senior Aizlyn McKinley delivered a serve that died in entrance of a Kingsford defender. The Stags received the ultimate 4 factors of the fifth body, cemented by McKinley's ace, to finish the comeback in a 17-25, 22-25, 27-25, 25-23, 16-14 victory.
“It's a disappointment. A giant disappointment,” Flivvers coach Jaclynn Kreider mentioned. “We had moments the place we might have received. It’s a particular group of seniors that we’ll miss. To me, proper now, it doesn't appear actual. It's powerful. It's gonna harm.
“It's going to harm for a very long time.”
The Stags opened the ultimate body by claiming the primary three factors behind a pair of aces from McKinley. The Flivvers got here again and, with contributions from junior Cassion Olson, senior Maddy Kreider, sophomore Mylee Kreider and senior Anna Bortolini, discovered themselves inside one level of advancing to Thursday's regional championship recreation in Ludington .
Stags senior Olivia Reamer got here up with a robust swing from the suitable aspect of the ground. Bortolini got here up with an enormous block, however the ball bounced off her palms and out of bounds on the Stags' aspect of the ground.
The snowball started its descent down the hill.
Kingsley tied the sport at 14. Then a kill by sophomore Jenna Middleton gave the Stags a 15-14 lead, forcing a Kingsford timeout. McKinley then hit his remaining ace for the win in a match that featured 27 ties and 14 lead modifications.
“It's an excellent workforce” Kingsley coach Dave Corridor mentioned of Flivvers:” I watched them in all probability eight occasions. I've by no means seen them look so good. Their hitters are unbelievable. Their protection is far, a lot better than it appears to be like.”
Every thing gave the impression to be going Kingsford's means early on. A 10-Eight lead within the first set grew right into a 15-Eight benefit behind a trio of aces from Bortolini and a kill from Olson to pressure a timeout for the Stags. It was the push that gave the Flivvers the 25-17 win within the body.
Kingsford led 21-19 within the second set. Then Maddy Kreider reminded everybody in attendance why she is Miss UP Volleyball.
The senior acquired an ideal cross. Maddy Kreider jumped and one way or the other managed to drift within the air for 10 seconds earlier than killing evil. It sparked what turned a 6-1 Flivvers run to win the second body and take a 2-Zero lead for good.
Then the errors began to have an effect on the Maize and Blue.
The third set noticed 10 ties and 4 lead modifications. It additionally noticed the Flivvers commit a mix of 10 service, assault and blocking errors. Kingsley received the third stanza 27-25.
Kingsford dedicated 9 errors within the fourth body. The Flivvers tied the stanza 4 occasions however by no means led because the Stags pressured a pivotal fifth set with a 25-23 win in set 4.
The Stags now face Essexville Garber, who defeated Clare 25-12, 25-12, 25-16, Thursday at 7 p.m. in Ludington.
Maddy Kreider totaled 32 assists, 29 digs, 21 kills, two aces and one block. Bortolini tallied 29 digs, 19 assists, 13 kills, three blocks and a trio of aces. Alyssa Larson added 28 assists, 11 digs, two aces and a kill. Ellery Nash completed with 29 digs, 4 assists and a trio of aces. Jenna Viau had 15 digs and a kill. Mylee Kreider added 9 kills, seven digs and a block. Kailey Sundquist chipped in 12 digs, 11 kills and three blocks. Cassie Olson completed with 9 kills, 4 digs and three blocks.
For seniors Bortolini, Larson, Nash, Viau, Sundquist and Maddy Kreider, Tuesday was the ultimate recreation of a season filled with positives. A 31-5 document together with being one of many high two groups within the UPSSA ballot is nothing to scoff at. Then you definately add two good seasons in Nice Northern Convention play with two titles and two district titles.
“This group, at a younger age, began enjoying the sport collectively, loving the sport collectively and spending lots of time within the offseason to get pretty much as good as attainable.” Jaclynn Kreider mentioned about Flivvers 2024. “We're not very massive and we've been capable of battle yr after yr with groups which are greater than us, that hit more durable than us. They’ve lots of coronary heart and lots of need for the sport of volleyball. This might be sorely missed.”