Marquette’s Maria Millado, top left, makes a solo block on Alpena’s Kami Schultz in the third set of their MHSAA Division 1 high school volleyball district tournament match at the Barb Crill Gymnasium in Marquette on Monday. Looking on for the Redettes is Katelyn Dunleavy, lower left, and for the Wildcats is Allie Derocher, lower right. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

“It took the Calumet (match) for us to learn that nothing good comes of it if we get outplayed on defense.” — Ann Crandell-Williams, head coach, Marquette volleyball

———————

MARQUETTE — The first big test for the Marquette Senior High School volleyball team went as well as head coach Ann Crandell-Williams could have hoped for on Monday night.

Because of concerns with the coronavirus pandemic, the Redettes never had a chance to play any teams outside the Upper Peninsula during the regular season while compiling a sterling 14-2 record that included a 7-0 mark in the Great Northern Conference.

That also meant MSHS didn’t play any school of their size — Class A or the equivalent Division 1 — all fall.

Until Monday evening, that is, when the Redettes opened the Division 1 district tournament at home with a three-set sweep of Alpena.

Marquette prevailed 25-14, 25-15, 25-9 to advance to the district semifinals against Traverse City West, which had a first-round bye. That match will also be played at home at the Barb Crill Gymnasium. It will be held today, though the starting time will be an hour earlier than previously announced, now at 5 p.m.

A win today advances the Redettes to the district championship match on Friday, again at home, tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. against the winner of today’s other semifinal match between Petoskey and Traverse City Central.

Crandell-Williams credited the strongest team on Marquette’s regular-season schedule, Calumet, for showing the Redettes the challenge they will see in the districts.

That was even despite the Copper Kings handing Marquette its only two losses as the Redettes won just one game between those two matches, the most recent that ended the regular season on Thursday.

“I’m so proud of these girls on this win,” Crandell-Williams said about Monday’s victory. “Everything they’ve been working on came together.

“The offense has been slowly falling into place, but the defense was on point as well tonight. It took the Calumet (match) for us to learn that nothing good comes of it if we get outplayed on defense.

“It’s a nice time for them to be peaking. We’re happy that we get to keep playing, especially since we’ll be doing it at least one more time on our home turf.”

Statistically, the Redettes had a group effort on offense, as Seiler Hruska had eight kills, Maria Millado seven kills and Taylor Marquardt and Taylor Ragusett three kills apiece.

Hruska also had seven service aces, three blocks and nine digs; Millado two aces, seven blocks and eight digs; while Marquardt added four aces and Ragusett a block.

In addition, Katelyn Dunleavy had 17 assists, six digs and an ace, while Celinda Brunswick made 11 digs, Roxy Nelson three aces, a kill, three blocks and four digs, and Ashlee Blom two aces and a dig.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.