The Wayland varsity voll
eyball team Wednesday night won its Class B district semifinal match against host Wyoming Godwin Heights.
The Wildcats will play O-K Gold Conference champion Grand Rapids South Christian at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Godwin gym.
Wayland suffered a shocking defeat in the first game Wednesday, as the Wolverines came up with a 25-20 decision. The Wildcats regrouped, however, and came back to win the next three by 25-21, 25-21 and 25-17 counts.
Sydney Ritz led the team’s attack with 18 kills and Taryn Coughlin had 16, Leigha Morse came up with 42 assists; Coughlin had three blocks and Ritz two; Coughlin, Lyndie VanMalsen and Kamie Swan served up two aces apiece, and Kamie Swan had 12 digs and Abby Merice 11.
The victories lifted Wayland’s overall season record to 22-14-4. Godwin, which won its district tourney opener by sweeping Kelloggsville, finished its season at 31-14-3.
South Christian will enter Friday’s district final with an overall 36-11-1 record and an opening round sweep of Grand River Prep. The Sailors went undefeated with a 10-0 dual match record in the O-K Gold Conference.
However, the Wildcats nearly pulled off an upset the last time the two squads met on the court, finally bowing 15-13 in the fifth and deciding set.
PHOTOS: Sydney Ritz Taryn Coughlin
(Photos courtesy of Kenny Ritz)