LocalSportsJournal.com
FREMONT — The Ludington girls volleyball team’s historic run came to an end Tuesday night in a marathon five-set loss to Grand Rapids West Catholic in the Division 2 MHSAA state quarterfinals.
Ludington got off to a good start and survived the first set with a narrow 25-23 victory. It set the tone for the rest of the match, as each team mounted rallies and took turns riding the ebbs and flows.
West Catholic came back in the second set to even the match at 1-1 with a tough 25-18 decision, and then made it a 2-1 lead in the third set, 25-16.
The Orioles evened the match, 2-2 when they bounced back for a 25-18 win. But West Catholic finished the night with a 15-11 decision in the fifth set.
“We played nervous in the second and third sets, but ultimately snapped back into it in the fourth set,” Ludington coach Liz Holden said. “I think they felt the pressure, but they still played some awesome volleyball. They fought hard the last set, and just fell short. They had an amazing season, winning the first regional title in 26 years and played a really good (match).
“I am excited to see some of these girls play at the next level, and I am so proud of how they did this year. It has been quite an impressive ride with the girls this season.”
Holden added that she’s looking forward to building on this season in the future.
Leading the Orioles were Karli Mesyar with 30 digs and one assist, Ashley McPike who pounded down 12 kills to go with four digs, four blocks and two aces. Maddy Vaara had 19 kills, 11 digs, two blocks, one ace and one assist. Jordyn Anderson finished with 27 digs, 36 assists, three kills, three blocks and one ace.
Jaelyn Laird contributed five kills, three blocks and two digs. Mya Bryant had 13 digs and Mia Pung added 12 digs, Lily Slater had two digs and one assist and Mia Voss added two digs, two kills and two blocks.
