Reed City's Demi Lodholtz (1) and Alison Duddles go after the ball against Benzie Central in district action last week. (Herald Review photo/John Raffel)
REED CITY - Cadillac was too much for Reed City in a 25-7, 25-7, 25-10 sweep in Thursday's Division 3 district finals at Big Rapids High School.
Demi Lodholtz had one kill, three digs and one block for Reed City. Katelynn Holmes had two kills and seven digs; Mackenzie Wein had five kills and 17 digs and one block; Maddie Morgan had five digs; Mady Brown had five digs; Alison Duddles had one kill six digs, four assists and two blocks and Rylie Olds had one dig and five assists.
"We struggled with our serve receive and never got into a good offensive rhythm," Reed City coach Don Patterson said. "Cadillac did a really nice job of serving and were able to stress our block tonight. Defensively, our kids played really hard again tonight."
The Coyotes defeated Manistee and Benzie Central to advance to the district title match.
"I was pleased with their effort and was happy to see us playing our best ball at the end of the year," Patterson said.
Manton 3, Pine River 0
MCBAIN -- Pine River lost to Manton in three sets in Thursday's Division 3 district title match at McBain 26-24, 25-22, 25-23.
For Pine River, Emma Whitley had 13 kills and 24 digs; Sophie Johnson had 29 assists and 14 digs; Cayla Trowbridge had six kills and 22 digs and Parker Moores added 25 digs.
"Tonight was not how we pictured it going," Pine River coach Jana Dennis. "Losing in post season is never easy. We spent all season working towards this moment. So when it doesn't end the way you pictured it time and time again it's tough. However, I am so very proud of this team and what we have become not only as players but as people.
"Tonight we had many opportunities to win and just couldn't finish. We will certainly miss our seniors and the heart they've given to this program. Those returning will learn from this night and work to not let it repeat."
Pine River ends the season at 21-15-2.
SEMIFINALS
Reed City 3, Benzie Central 0
BIG RAPIDS --Reed City won its second straight 3-0 district match by getting the job done on Wednesday over Benzie Central 25-15, 25-12, 25-14. For the Coyotes, Lodholtz had five kills, two aces and 14 digs, Brown had one ace and 19 digs, Hill had two kills and three digs; Katelynn Holmes had four kills, one ace and 13 digs; Wein had 14 kills and 18 digs,Morgan had nine digs, Duddles had three kills and nine digs and Olds had one kill, three aces and six digs.
"I thought we played our best match of the year tonight," Patterson said. "Mackenize Wein has a great game as did all the seniors. Alison Duddles really bothered their hitters with her blocking tonight and Madelyn Brown played really smart offensively and some really sound and aggressive defense. Rylie Olds had her best setting game of the year."
Pine River 3, Evart 0
MCBAIN --Pine River won in the semifinals of districts against Evart on Wednesday and won in three sets 25-11, 25-16, 25-13
For Pine River, Whitley had nine kills and seven digs; Trowbridge had seven kills and six digs; and Moores had five kills, fives aces and five digs.
"Overall we played a good first game of districts," Dennis said.
Evart was led by Kara Henry with 11 kills and eight blocks; Skylar Baumgardner with two kids and seven assists; Livia Hopkins with two kills, two assists and eight digs; Ryenn Baumgardner with eight digs and Kelci Elder with two kills and three blocks.
"We improved a lot and learned a lot," Evart coach Amanda Brown said.
