VICKSBURG, MI (WTVB) – The Bronson Lady Vikings have advanced to the Class C high school volleyball state semifinals with a 3-0 quarterfinal win over Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian last night at Vicksburg. The Bronson victory sends the Lady Vikings to Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek to take on Traverse City St. Francis with the survivor of the match at 2 p.m. Friday earning a berth in the MHSAA Noon Final on Saturday.
The Lady Vikings, who have been ranked number-one for most of the season, defeated NorthPointe Christian last night 25-17, 25-22, 25-16. Junior Jill Pyles, who had a team-high 12 kills, was our McDonald’s Player of the Match for Bronson. Kirin Cekander led the way in digs with 22 while Allison Sikorski was tops in aces with 6. Senior setter Alexa Ratkowski had another solid showing with 48 assists.
The Lady Vikings last trip to the semifinals was in 2009 when Bronson won the Class C State title. The win last night improved their record this year to 55-10-3 while NorthPointe finishes at 34-10-2. Traverse City St. Francis, who entered post season play ranked fifth in the state, won their quarterfinal match last night 3-0 over Calumet. The victory for the Gladiators gives them a chance to improve on their 2012 season when they were the runner up team in the finals. We’ll have the Bronson-Traverse City semi-final match on AM 1590 and FM 95.5 with our live coverage from Kellogg Arena beginning at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
A pair of Battle Creek teams will stay home to play in the final four this weekend after victories last night. Harper Creek, champions of the Interstate Eight Conference, beat Coopersville 3-0 at the Allegan Class B quarterfinal while 9-time defending Class D state champion Battle Creek St. Philip defeated Mendon in 4 games in the quarterfinal at Battle Creek Lakeview.
