Local Sports: Whiteford christens new gym with volleyball tourney
OTTAWA LAKE – Whiteford didn’t win its own volleyball tournament Wednesday, but the Bobcats walked away feeling like champions.
Whiteford christened the brand-new gymnasium at its school with an eight-team tournament.
“We’re really excited,” said Whiteford coach Janie Bunge. “It was super cool to see our gym filled will volleyball. This is the first time we’ve ever hosted a tournament. We didn’t have the gym capacity before with just one court. As far as I know, it’s the first time we’ve ever hosted an indoor tournament of any kind at our school.”
The new gym features two volleyball courts.
“It is so awesome be part of,” said Bunge, a 2015 Whiteford graduate. “To get to experience it is mind boggling. We’re in heaven right now.”
Adrian was in heaven at the end of the tournament, topping Dundee 20-25, 25-21, 15-9 in the finals to take home the championship trophy.
Whiteford lost to Ida and Jefferson in pool play, then beat Jefferson 25-22, 25-21 in the first round of bracket play before falling 25-11, 25-19.
“All in all, a good first day for us,” Bunge said. “We were missing one of our middles.”
Liv Ruehle (52 digs), Alaina McClain (32 digs), Kenzie Gray (28 kills, .253 efficiency), Alaina McClain (24 kills), Annie Gapp (17 kills), and Anna Schober had (81 assists) led the Bobcats.
Dundee was making its debut under new coach Keri Salenbien.
"The girls came out strong and played so well," Salenbien said. "They meshed so well together as a team."
Briley Bordine (82 digs), Lola Salenbien (56 assists), Kennedy Irwin (27 kills), and Lilly Motylinski (25 kills) had big days for the Vikings.
Ida went 3-1-1 and bowed out in the semifinals.
The Blue Streaks were 2-0-1 in pool play. They beat Britton Deerfield in bracket play before exiting with a 25-16, 27-25 loss to Adrian.
“We have a lot of new varsity players,” Ida coach Ashley Begeman said. “We have a solid group of returners, but also a lot new girls who haven’t been on the varsity level before.”
Ida was led by Mia Karl (.268, 25 kills, 6 blocks), Brandie Gobrecht (18 kills), Jessica Schrader (34 digs), and Alyssa Torres (18 digs, 32 assists).
Jefferson beat Britton Deerfield and Whiteford and split with Ida in pool play. The Bears were eliminated by Whiteford in bracket play.
“Our defense was on fire today,” Jefferson coach Kylie Ely said. “They worked hard and made some really big plays. All around, the team played very well together.”
High School Football: Schedules for all 14 Monroe County Region teams
Leaders for the Bears were Gracie Jones (22 kills, 26 digs), Lindsey Gennoe (56 assists, 16 digs), Anna Boggs (15 kills, 25 digs), Clare Boggs (38 digs), Meagan Middleton (13 kills, 25 digs), and Layla Tahmouch (8 kills).
Airport finished 0-3-1, going 0-2-1 play, then falling 25-16 25 21 in the first round of the playoffs.
Peyton Zajac and Madison Boehm led the Jets.
“It was a good learning experience,” Airport coach Stephanie Miller said.
PREP SOCCER
Strong start for SMCC
MONROE – Trent Zachel posted a shutout in net and contributed an assist as St. Mary Catholic Central opened its season with a 2-0 win over Clinton Wednesday.
Joseph Laginess and Holden Kennedy scored the goals.
“This was a great all-around effort from this team tonight,” said SMCC coach Nathan Olson. “We had standouts all over the field. The whole defense worked well together and all had pivotal stops.”
Sanders, Gonzalez lead
CARLETON – Sophomores Nolan Sanders and Skyyler Gonzalez each scored three goals as Airport opened its season with a 10-2 rout of Southgate Anderson Wednesday.
Sanders added three assists and Gonzalez two.
Isaiah Chapdelaine, Jackson Riggs, Nolan Ortega, and Carson Gregg also scored.
"We started off slowly trailing 2-0 10 minutes into the game,” Airport coach Goran Cepo said. “Once we settled down and made a few changes the game turned pretty quicky.”
Huron wins opener
WILLIS – Andy Traster and Ian Petrick scored two goals each and Johann Vasquez logged a goal and two assists as New Boston Huron opened its season with a 5-2 victory over Ypsilanti Lincoln Wednesday.
Luke Hamilton, Noah Manthei, Jack Maxwell, Tony Trupiano, Jason Jasinski, London Julio, Aidan Dolencic, Ayden Shannon, Mason Thomas, Yusuf Alziadi, and Roman Pitt also played well.
PREP TENNIS
Milan takes second
ADRIAN − Milan placed second in Wednesday’s Adrian Tournament, beating Riverview and the host school by 6-2 scores and losing 7-1 to Dexter.
The doubles teams of Gunnar Kruise-Zach Farmer, Grand Segrist-Luke Morse, Elias Hobbs-Will Klieber, and Tyler Maravino-Alec Cicotte led Milan.
Milan tied Lapeer 4-4 and fell 8-0 to Goodrich in the Lapeer Tournament Monday.
YOUTH BASKETBALL
Grey wins title
MONROE – The Grey team pulled out a 29-28 overtime victory in the finals to win the Arthur Lesow Community Center Summer League recently.
The Grey was coached by Arborwood dean of students Mitchell Sweat.
YOUTH BASEBALL
Liedel picked
MONROE – Carson Liedel of Monroe has been chosen to play in the Perfect Game Select Festival in Fort Myers, Fla., on Sept. 3.
YOUTH SOFTBALL
Vidra plays for champs
VIERA, Fla. – Bedford Junior High student Lily Vidra helped the Great Lakes Region team win the 12-under direct invite championship at the recent USSSA All-American Games.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Local Sports: Whiteford christens new gym with volleyball tourney
