Volleyball tourney to draw top squads from north

It’s a good thing they don’t have to sing, because the Huron volleyball team would be in trouble. With a round of head colds sweeping through her team, coach Mary Fairbanks has a few players reduced to squeaks instead of shouts at the net. “We weren’t at the top of our game, but we didn’t play terribly either,” Fairbanks said. In spite of the sicknesses, the Hurons (19-6, 3-0) took two Straits Area Conference matches from Newberry and Alcona Monday in Rogers City, after a good showing in a tournament downstate. They remain ranked number ten in Class C in the coaches’ poll.

That sets up a full day of action in the Rogers City Invitational Saturday at RCHS. Ten teams are set to participate including two of the top teams in Class C: fifth-ranked Harbor Light Christian (20-2), and eighth-ranked Cedarville (11-6-1). Other teams in the mix include Frankenmuth, Gaylord, Pellston, Boyne City, Inland Lakes, Oscoda, and Fife Lake-Forest Area. Games will start at 8:30 with the finals expected in mid-afternoon. A strong field should mean fine volleyball will be played at the local gym.

IN THE FIRST match Monday with Newberry, the Hurons led 10-8 before the Indians made a charge to take a 12-11 lead. Senior setter Megan Hanson set up left hitter Tiffiny Krueger to begin a Huron rally. That came in front of kills by Ashley Fleming and Becky Bruning in a 10-2 Huron run. Game one went to the Hurons, 25-19. In game two, Simone Kapala’s ace gave the Hurons the 24th point in a 25-16 win. Game three went to the Hurons, 25-16, as Rogers City never trailed in the game. The Hurons took three games from Alcona to improve to 3-0 in the SAC. With the Hurons leading 16-10, Haselhuhn set up Dana Fairbanks for a kill up the middle. Bruning added two aces and Fleming nailed a kill to make the score 21-10 in a 25-14 win.

The Hurons, though fighting illness, were able to turn it on when needed, winning game two, 25-14, and the third game by a score of 25-17. Bruning had 14 kills, 11 aces and 12 digs while Fleming added 12 kills and 11 digs. Haselhuhn had 22 set assists and Chelsie Brege added 11 assists. Krueger had eight digs and five aces.

SATURDAY, THE Hurons traveled south to Ravenna where they went 2-2 in match play, taking first in their pool. Rogers City started off with a 25-20, 25-21 wins over eventual tournament runner-up North Muskegon. They defeated Calvin Christian 25-20, 25-23. The two losses came to Montague, 23-25, 23-25, and tournament champion Kingsley, 17-25, 20-25. Coach Fairbanks said any of the teams had a shot at the tournament championship, as the competition was tough and even.

Other teams in the tournament were Ravenna, Ludington and Mason County Central. On the day, Fleming had 28 kills, eight blocks, six ace serves and 15 digs. Bruning notched 22 kills with six blocks, 12 aces and 16 digs. Dana Fairbanks had nine kills, s

even blocks, and 11 digs. Hanson had40 assists and Haselhuhn added 30 assists.

AS A TUNE-UP for the tournament, the Hurons scrimmaged Big Rapids, coached by former RCHS and Ferris State University volleyball great Karla Fairbanks. Mary said the chance to coach against her daughter’s team was a good experience. “It was a lot of fun. We played four or five 15-point games and a 30-point game. I think we came out on top, although Karla would argue with that,” Mary said. The Hurons were scheduled to play Pellston and Gaylord in Gaylord Wednesday and will be at St. Ignace for a SAC match Monday.

THE JV HURONS took two matches from Alcona and Newberry Monday at RCHS. Scores for the Newberry match showed the Hurons won each game, 25-19, 25-21, and 25-21. Rogers City swept Alcona in the final match, 25-9, 25-14, 25-9. The JV Hurons’ participation in a tournament Saturday was cancelled due to bad weather.

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