LocalSportsJournal.com

The Muskegon Catholic volleyball team defeated Fruitport Calvary Christian 3-1 on Friday to capture the championship in the Division 4 district tournament at Fruitport Calvary.

It was the 10th straight district title for the Crusaders. The set scores in the hard-fought match were 29-27, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19.

MCC’s No. 16 Cara Burkall spikes the ball at the net with Erin LaVeen watching. Photo/Michael Banka

MCC, now 17-8 on the season, moves on to play Fowler in a regional semifinal match on Tuesday at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart High School.

The Crusaders had to work their way out of trouble in the first set, because Calvary led 24-21 and was one point away from clinching. But MCC kept battling and finally emerged with a dramatic 29-27 win to take a 1-0 lead.

The Crusaders took the second set, then lost the third, making it 2-1 heading into the fourth.

Muskegon Catholic trailed in the fourth set 7-4, and the score was tied 7-7, before the Crusaders pulled away at the end to win 25-19 and clinch the match and the district title.

“We knew we would have to play good defense to beat them,” said MCC Coach Jacob Huston. “It’s always a battle with Calvary. We always seem to end up playing them here (in the finals).

“We’re playing real well right now, and we are happy to be moving on to next week.”

Alena Martin paced the Crusaders with 14 kills while McKenna Gentry added 10. Gentry and Claire LaVigne each served three aces.

Defensively, Erin LaVigne had 20 digs while Claire LaVigne added 16. Cara Burkall had three blocks.

Fruitport Calvary’s Madison Hoofman had nine service points, one ace and 23 digs. Emmalee Dykman had 15 kills, 23 digs and one block, while Ella Dykman had six service points, one ace, five kills, and five blocks. Bekah Duke had 24 assists and 20 digs.