MONROE – Huron League volleyball will have a new champion next year.
But it won’t be because someone knocked St. Mary Catholic Central off its throne.
The Kestrels secured their 16th consecutive Huron League title by knocking off Flat Rock 25-16, 13-25, 25-20, 25-22 at home on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
They won’t get a chance to extend the string to 17 next fall because SMCC is leaving for the Detroit Catholic League.
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“We graduated eight senior starters from last year,” SMCC coach Kim Windham said. “But this class didn’t want to be the one who let (the streak) go. They were pretty focused all the time.”
Windham’s team completed a season sweep of a talented Flat Rock squad with outstanding defense.
Booming attacks from powerful hitters came back over the net time and time again. Well-timed blocks thwarted many other attacks.
“They were tremendous,” Windham said of her defense led by Claire Ryan, Avery Gramlich and libero Olivia Horning.
The Kestrels finish 10-0 in the league and improved to 21-1 overall.
Flat Rock coach Morgan Delhey was succinct when asked if her team played well.
“No,” she said flatly. “Our serve reception was not good and we had a game plan defensively that we didn’t follow.”
But she was not taking anything away from the defense of SMCC.
“They were everywhere,” she said. “It was deflating.”
Sarah Giroux rang up 19 kills, 13 digs and 4 blocks to lead Flat Rock.
Lily Klein added 11 kills, Ellle Dwyer 15 digs and Zoe Ryan 33 assists for the 18-7-2 Rams.
PREP VOLLEYBALL
Philbeck directs Jets
NEWPORT – Darby Philbeck recorded 30 assists and 4 digs in Airport’s 20-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-10 victory over Jefferson Wednesday.
Mya Stahr (13 kills, 6 digs 2 aces) and Hope Sisler (9 kills, 9 digs 6 aces) also were standouts for the Jets.
Milan charges back
NEW BOSTON – Ava Russo notched 10 kills and 16 digs as New Boston Huron outlasted Milan 25-23, 16-25, 25-23, 18-25,16-14 Wednesday.
Emily Moreno contributed 5 aces and 18 assists, Addison McFadden 15 digs, 9 kills and 5 aces, and Briana Holbrook recorded 23 digs and 4 aces and Aubri Laskie 6 kills and 2 blocks.
“Huron showed determination throughout the match, continuing to compete and refusing to give up,” Huron coach Devon Newman said.
PREP SOCCER
Gore delivers for Bedford
SALINE – Cory Gore’s goal with about 17 minutes remaining was the difference as Bedford nipped Saline 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Division 1 District hosted by Ann Arbor Skyline.
“The guys have worked really hard and we’re seeing a lot of improvement in the second half of the season,” Bedford coach Brendan Wyatt said after seeing his team improve to 8-10-1. “All 11 starters and the guys who came in off the bench put in their shifts and did a great job.”
Hayden Parsons was outstanding in net behind a defense led by Dylan Strong and Maddox Oberski. Mason Russell picked up an assist.
The Mules will play Belleville or Ann Arbor Pioneer in the semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Ida opens with mercy
IDA – Cameron Cogan scored a pair of goals as Ida got off to a fast start in the state tournament with an 8-0 mercy-rule win over Taylor Prep in the semifinals of the Division 3 District hosted by Grosse Ile.
Cameron Cogan scored a pair of goals
Stevie Riley, Brandon Bacon, Dane Holycross, Thomas Dollison, Bryce Mueller and Garrett Baxter also found the back of the net. Reilly Cole logged a pair of assists and Holycross, Jess Meyers, Weston Allen, Thomas, Bryce, and Gavin Gragg added one each.
Ida advances to the semifinals against host Grosse Ile Monday.
SMCC eliminates host
MANCHESTER – St. Mary Catholic Central knocked Manchester out of the Division 4 District it is hosting with a 3-0 victory Wednesday.
The Kestrels move on to play Lenawee Christian in the semifinals at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Milan moving on
MILAN – Milan clipped Dundee 3-1 Wednesday to advance to the semifinals of the Division 3 District it is hosting.
The Big Red will take on Clinton on the home field at 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Airport bows out
YPSILANTI – Airport’s season came to an end with a 7-0 loss to Ypsilanti in the quarterfinals of the Division 2 District at Trenton Wednesday.
Carlson’s season ends
GIBRALTAR – Gibraltar Carlson fell 2-1 to Allen Park Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the Division 1 District at Allen Park.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Monroe County Region high school sports roundup for Wednesday, Oct. 14