Only two Hillsdale County volleyball teams remain after brutal district semifinals

HILLSDALE COUNTY — The volleyball season came to an end for more than 20 senior student-athletes in Hillsdale County after a brutal District 81 semifinals and District 119 and 120 semifinals.

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Camden-Frontier and Hillsdale Academy are the only teams remaining in the volleyball postseason, and only one will move on from the District 119 finals on Thursday.

This story will be updated online with new stats from Wednesday night games.

Hillsdale falls to Addison in four sets

JONESVILLE — The Hillsdale Hornet volleyball team and coach Cassandra Farmer were able to steal a crucial set two win against Addison that put Addison on the ropes early in their district semifinals matchup.

The Addison Panthers took set one 25-14, but Hillsdale outplayed the Panthers in a 25-23 set two win. The Panthers took care of business in set three 25-17 and escaped with a final set win of 25-21 to end the semifinal match.

The Hornets were out their senior left side hitter who was out sick, but coach Farmer says the team showed up ready to fight.

We came in ready to fight anyways," said Farmer. "Our energy was good. I am so proud of their energy. They rallied back. They played every point like they were winning, even if they weren't."

The list of seniors that the Hornets lose this season includes Amelia Dietz, Arriana Trouten, Chloe Manifold, Kelah Hodge, Jael Miller, Annemarie Moore and Karsyn Stebbins. Coach Farmer says that the group has battled injuries this season and fought through previous injuries at the start of the year. Farmer credits their friendship on and off the court for helping them stay a cohesive group through adversity in 2023.

"Our group was cohesive," said Farmer. "They were friends on and off the court. That goes a long way in a team sport of errors. We battled injuries. Senior Annemarie Moore was out most of last season with an ankle break. Senior Karsyn Stebbins had surgery earlier this year. My two middles, Jael Miller and Kelah Hodge, have been battling back injuries all season long. But they were pushing through with everything they can do. I'm proud that they fight even when it's breaking them."

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Jonesville loses in four sets to Quincy

JONESVILLE — The hosts of District 81, Jonesville waited for the winner of Hudson and Quincy from the quarterfinals. They would end up drawing Quincy on Wednesday night. Coach Dan Snook and the Comets came out of the gate running with a 25-15 set one win. However, the Orioles were determined to win their way to the district title game.

Quincy would pull away for sets two and three by final scores of 25-17 and 25-16. The Comets battled back and rallied in the fourth set of the night, but the Orioles would pull away in the final serves of the night for a 25-22 final.

The Orioles moved on to play the Addison Panthers at Jonesville High School for a District 81 championship.

This year's senior members of the Comets included Gracen Hager, Mackenzie Plum, Kylie Campbell, Lyra Nichols, Brooke Sharp and Alexis Ewing. Several Comets also earned conference honors. Those lists will be published in the near future.

Hillsdale Academy and Camden-Frontier set for district 119 battle

HILLSDALE — The District semifinals saw Camden-Frontier survive a five-set battle with Will Carleton Academy to earn a district finals appearance. Hillsdale Academy rolled through Litchfield as they look to win another district championship on their home court.

Camden-Frontier and coach Dawn Follis dropped set one to the Cougars in a 25-19 final. Camden-Frontier would then dominate sets two and three in 25-13 and 25-19 finals. The Cougars survived set four with a 27-25 victory to force a fifth set.

Both teams battled hard at the net, with Camden-Frontier pulling away for a 16-14 victory.

"We struggled all year to control the first pass and tonight was no different," said Dawn Follis. "Will Carleton did a good job at keeping the ball off the floor and played very scrappy. Thankfully we had pretty decent serving and Sigler, McKibbin and Gawronski kept us in the game with their front row attacking."

Camden-Frontier senior Lexus Sigler had 11 kills and one block. Senior Karley McKibbin had nine kills, 12 assists, 21 digs and five aces. Sophomore Heidi Gawronski had seven kills and three blocks. Senior Chloe Word had 10 assists, two aces and 15 digs. Senior Madison Stephens had 15 digs and two aces. Regan Schaedler had 29 digs and four aces.

For Will Carleton, Rosie Burke had four aces, one kill and five assists. Brilynn Padget had three kills and one assist. Madison Recob had three blocks and four assists. Josie Moore had one ace, two kills and one assist. Senior Jenny Knoll had two aces and two kills. Kristin Recob had one ace, two kills and three assists.

Hillsdale Academy defeated Litchfield in final set scores of 25-12, 25-11 and 25-17. For the Colts, Clara Heath had six aces, Ella O'Grady had four and Iris Millies had two. Liz Creger had 13 kills, Ava King had nine and Liz Andaloro had four. Heath had 24 assists. Alvarez had five digs. Heath had three digs.

The D4 No. 2 ranked Colts face Camden-Frontier on Thursday night for the district championship. Results from the championship game will be included in the Saturday print edition.

Litchfield loses their two senior captains: Jenna Miller and Addison McLouth.

Pittsford falls to No. 1 Adrian Lenawee Christian

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WALDRON — Coach Jessica Butler and the Wildcats fell victim to a LCS team looking to make a deep playoff run this season. The Cougars defeated Pittsford in three sets by final scores of 25-9, 25-15 and 25-14. The Cougars move on to face Petersburg Summerfield on Friday, Nov. 3 for the district championship.

For Pittsford, senior Jacy Bliekamp had two aces, four digs and two blocks. Coach Buter called Bliekamp a fierce player for the Wildcats. "She plays with her emotions and works hard at what she is trying to execute," said Butler.

Senior Halle Clark had five digs and two blocks. Butler commended Clark for her positive attitude all four years as a varsity starter. "Halle is a positive athlete and had a huge presence at the net," Buter said.

Senior Shelby Bryner had two kills and six digs. Another four-year varsity player, Butler commended Bryner for her great knowledge about the game as the co-captain with Clark. "She has great court awareness and knowledge of the game," said Butler.

Senior Olivia Long had four digs. Butler believes that Long had stepped up her game this season. "She is a phenomenal defensive player who can read her hitters and isn't afraid to sacrifice her body," said Butler.

Kaydence Jones, the fifth senior on the team, played at right side and left back this season for the Wildcats. "Jones is always willing to step up and play the part she is asked," said Butler.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Only two Hillsdale County volleyball teams remain after brutal district semifinals