Four Muskegon-area volleyball programs celebrate district championships

MUSKEGON, MI – Four Muskegon-area volleyball teams captured district championships on Thursday night as hard work and determination resulted in postgame celebrations and a photo shoot with a highly sought-after bronze trophy.

Mona Shores defeated Coopersville to win the program's first district title since 2000-01 and only the second in school history.

Shelby captured its fourth consecutive district championship with an impressive win over Hart, while Fremont and Western Michigan Christian each took home a district championship trophy for the third time in four seasons.

Mona Shores 3, Coopersville 1

After a back-and-forth first two sets that saw the Sailors win Game 1 by a score of 26-24 and the Broncos responded with a 25-18 win, Mona Shores responded with dominant efforts in Games 3 and 4 to push past host Coopersville by identical 25-16 scores to seal the match and win the program's first district championship since the 2000-01 season.

Grace Allen led the Mona Shores attack with 14 kills, while Izzy Sturtevant added 28 digs, three aces, and seven assists, Maddie Russell had nine kills, four aces, and four blocks, Laynie Russell had seven kills and three blocks, Cece Gappa had seven kills, Elena Reister had 21 assists and 16 digs and Skyler MacLachlan had six blocks.

"Everyone came ready to play tonight," said Mona Shores head coach Kathy Hellmann. "We had AMAZING support from the bench and the crowd. The team played with each other and for each other."

Mona Shores (32-8) advances to take on host Jenison (40-7-2) in the Division 1 regional semifinals on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.

MORE: Images from Mona Shores' district title win over Coopersville

Fremont 3, Grant 0

The Packers rolled past the Tigers by scores of 25-14, 25-6 and 25-19 to win its third consecutive district championship trophy.

Mia Clemence recorded 11 kills, 22 digs and two aces to pace Fremont, while Brynna Barnhart added 26 assists and six aces and Taylor DeKuiper had five kills and two blocks. Averi Zimmer added seven kills, Grace Evans had 20 digs, Taylor Johnson had 10 digs and Cayman Ramsey had two blocks.

Fremont (43-6-1) advances to face St. Johns (29-9-2) in the Division 2 regional semifinals at Forest Hills Eastern on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.

Western Michigan Christian 3, Kent City 1

The Warriors fended off the Eagles in four sets by scores of 26-24, 22-25, 25-19, and 25-11 to capture their third district championship in four seasons.

Abby Leffring led Western Michigan Christian with 35 kills and four blocks, while Hannah Heiss added 15 kills, Madie Folkema had 13 kills, and Bri Warners had 63 assists.

"I'm so incredibly proud of this team and the season we have put together so far," said Western Michigan Christian head coach Amber Sandin. "We are excited to continue our season into regionals."

Western Michigan Christian advances to face Pewamo-Westphalia (27-12-2) in the Division 4 regional semifinals at Kent City on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m.

Shelby 3, Hart 0

The Tigers put together a strong team effort as they dispatched the Pirates in straight sets by scores of 25-22, 25-9 and 25-11 to capture the program's fourth straight district championship.

Shelby advances to face the winner of Roscommon/Oscoda in the Division 3 regional semifinals at Houghton Lake High School on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.

Fruitport 3, Whitehall 0

The Trojans cruised past the Vikings in straight sets by scores of 25-18, 25-15 and 25-13 to advance to Saturday's district championship game.

Sadie Haase led Fruitport with 14 kills, five aces, and seven digs, while Ellie Stroup added nine kills and six digs and Gracelynn Olson had eight kills, 25 assists, and 11 digs. Izabel Hanson-Wilbur had six kills and 13 digs, Emma Fecher had three aces and 10 digs, and Tara Sweet had 14 digs.

Fruitport (33-11) advances to face Montague (28-13-4) in the Division 2 district championship game at Orchard View High School on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m.

Montague 3, Spring Lake 1

The Wildcats bounced back from a 25-20 loss in the opening set to reel off three straight wins by scores of 26-24, 25-20 and 25-18 to secure an impressive comeback win over the Lakers and advance to the Division 2 district championship game on Saturday.

Montague (28-13-4) advances to face Fruitport (33-11) in the D2 district title game at Orchard View High School on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Below are updated district tournament schedules and pairings for all Muskegon-area volleyball teams.

DIVISION 1

District 5 at CoopersvilleOPENING ROUND (Nov. 4)

Coopersville 3, Muskegon 0

SEMIFINALS (Nov. 6)

Mona Shores 3, Reeths-Puffer 0

Coopersville 3, Grand Haven 0

FINALS (Nov. 7)

Mona Shores 3, Coopersville 1

DIVISION 2

District 35 at Big RapidsOPENING ROUND (Nov. 4)

Reed City 3, Big Rapids 2

SEMIFINALS (Nov. 6)

Clare 3, Remus Chippewa Hills 0

Reed City 3, Ludington 1

FINALS (Nov. 7)

Clare 3, Reed City 1

District 37 at Orchard ViewOPENING ROUND (Nov. 5)

Whitehall 3, Orchard View 0

Spring Lake 3, Oakridge 0

SEMIFINALS (Nov. 7)

Fruitport 3, Whitehall 0

Montague 3, Spring Lake 1

FINALS (Nov. 9)

Fruitport vs. Montague, 11 a.m.

District 38 at FremontOPENING ROUND (Nov. 4)

Grant 3, Howard City Tri-County 0

SEMIFINALS (Nov. 6)

Fremont 3, Newaygo 1

Grant 3, Sparta 0

FINALS (Nov. 7)

Fremont 3, Grant 0

DIVISION 3

District 69 at ShelbyOPENING ROUND (Nov. 4)

Manistee 3, Hesperia 2

SEMIFINALS (Nov. 6)

Shelby 3, Mason County Central 0

Hart 3, Manistee 2

FINALS (Nov. 7)

Shelby 3, Hart 0

District 73 at Blanchard MontabellaOPENING ROUND (Nov. 5)

Carson City-Crystal 3, Blanchard Montabella 0

SEMIFINALS (Nov. 7)

Morley Stanwood 3, Lakeview 0

Carson City-Crystal 3, White Cloud 1

FINALS (Nov. 8)

Morley Stanwood vs. Carson City-Crystal, 6 p.m.

District 74 at Western Michigan ChristianOPENING ROUND (Nov. 4)

Kent City 3, Holton 0

SEMIFINALS (Nov. 6)

Western Michigan Christian vs. Ravenna, 5 p.m.

Kent City 3, North Muskegon 2

FINALS (Nov. 7)

Western Michigan Christian 3, Kent City 1

DIVISION 4

District 113 at Wyoming Tri-Unity ChristianOPENING ROUND (Nov. 4)

Byron Center Zion Christian 3, Muskegon Catholic Central 0

SEMIFINALS (Nov. 6)

Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian 3, Muskegon Heights 0

Zion Christian 3, Grand Rapids Sacred Heart 1

FINALS (Nov. 8)

Tri-Unity Christian vs. Zion Christian, 6 p.m.

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