By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON – The last time Ed Bailey coached in a district tournament volleyball game between Western Michigan Christian and Ravenna, his team lost.

He was the WMC coach back then. He coaches Ravenna now, and he was on the winning side on Thursday.

Ravenna advanced to the Class C district finals with a 25-16, 25-19, 25-6 victory over WMC on the Warriors’ home court.

The Bulldogs, now 25-15-1 on the season, will face North Muskegon on Friday night at 7 p.m. for the district championship.

“We just keep building every set,” Bailey, in his first year at Ravenna, said about his team’s progress throughout the season.

Ravenna’s No. 6 Amber Jacobs spikes the ball past No. 5 Chloe Mitchell at the net. Photo/Jason Goorman

“We just keep eliminating mistakes and that’s what we are all about. We’re starting to peak at the right time.

“The current success is good for the program. There is a day and night difference since we began in August.”

Ravenna was led offensively by Amber Jacobs with 18 kills and four service aces. She also added 11 digs and three blocks defensively.

“Amber’s game is really starting to come on strong,” Bailey said.

Megan Crowley paced the Bulldogs defensively with 12 digs and chipped had 22 assists, while Haley Lemkie had nine digs.

The Warriors jumped out to a 5-4 lead in the opening set before Ravenna went on a strong 7-1 run to take a 11-6 advantage.

The Bulldogs closed the set with an 8-3 run.

The Bulldogs were powered by several points from Jacobs on the front line and a strong service run by Jessica McWatters.

WMC led the second set until a 10-3 run by the Bulldogs turned a 14-11 deficit to a 21-17 advantage.

Ravenna scored four of the final six points to win the set and take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Jacobs played strong throughout the set with six points and two aces.

The Bulldogs cruised through the final set, jumping out to an early 10-3 lead before closing the set and match on a 15-6 run.