By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

Even with their backs to the wall, Grosse Pointe North’s volleyball team wouldn’t go down without a fight.

The Norsemen, who fought all the way to their first appearance in the state semifinals, trailed Bloomfield Hills Marian 24-23 in the third game in the best of five match Nov. 21 at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek after dropping the first two games to the Mustangs.
North could have easily folded, taking the easy way out and allowing Marian to score the next point and win the match.

But instead, the Norsemen battled back and forth with the Mustangs, keeping up point for point until eventually Marian — which ended the regular season ranked No. 1 in the state’s coaches association rankings — prevailed 31-29 and advanced to its second straight state final.

“We put up a really good fight,” North coach Kim Lockhart said. “We didn’t quit.”
Marian won the first and second games 25-22 and 25-16, but nothing came easy for the Mustangs against the Norsemen.

The teams went back and forth during the first game, as there were 13 tie scores and seven lead changes in the closely contested opener. North even led 23-19 in the third game before Marian went on a late run.

“Really, the first and third game could have went either way,” Lockhart said. “It kind of came down in the end to which team could finish.”

The Norsemen wrapped up the season 40-13.

“You can’t be disappointed with being tied for third in the state,” Lockhart said. “The whole experience of going there was just amazing; the girls were so excited to be there.”

North punched its ticket to its first final four appearance by knocking off Macomb Area Conference Red Division rival Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse in a Nov. 18 state quarterfinal.

And now that they’ve had the experience of getting to step onto the floor of Kellogg Arena, Lockhart is hoping their next trip will be more fruitful, thanks to the lessons they’ve learned.

“We talked about how we’ve been there,” Lockhart said. “So the goals are going to be pretty high next year.”

But before they can think about returning to Battle Creek, the Norsemen have to replace the talented senior class that led them there this season.

“They really set the standards high for next year,” Lockhart said. “I’m going to miss them.”

The coach said she had bittersweet feelings about the season coming to a close. She’s happy to see the seniors, who have grown and prospered on the varsity, achieve success, but is sad to see them go.

North’s graduating seniors are Maddie Kent, Teresa Nagel, Allison Liddane, Jillian Kulka, Jasmine Kennedy, Krysta Schroeder and Andrea Matthew.

Kent had 16 kills and 10 digs in the semifinal, while Nagel added 14 kills and digs. Liddane recorded 40 assists, and Kulka led the Norsemen with three aces against the Mustangs.

You can reach Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1040.