LocalSportsJournal.com

CADILLAC — The defense stepped up for the Ludington girls volleyball team and provided the spark they needed to capture the Silver Bracket championship of the Cadillac Invitational on Saturday.

First, though, the Orioles had to compete in the morning’s pool play and split with Traverse City Central (22-25, 26-24), lost to Saginaw Valley Lutheran (23-25, 21-25) and defeated Lakewood (25-10, 25-22).
 
Moving on to Silver Bracket play, the Orioles got past Midland (25-17, 25-16), knocked off Shelby in the bracket semifinals (25-22, 25-18) and then turned back Montague in the championship match (32-30, 25-9).
 
Leaders for the Orioles included Maddy Vaara with 43 kills, 15 digs, two service aces, two assists and three blocks and Karli Mesyar who finished with 26 digs, 14 assists and four aces. Ashley McPike stepped up as well with 14 blocks and 13 kills, while Mia Pung contributed six aces, 12 digs and two assists.
 
Jordyn Anderson powered the offense with 69 assists, added 13 blocks, 19 kills, eight digs and nine service aces. Keelyn Laird turned in some solid numbers as well with 23 digs, 29 kills, eight blocks and two aces.
 
Mia Voss contributed three aces, one dig, five blocks and two kills. Olivia Lynn had eight blocks, one kill and one dig. Mya Bryant finished with one ace and one dig, while Morgan Simpson had two digs.
 
Ludington resumes West Michigan Conference-Lakes competition on Tuesday night at Orchard View.