ST. IGNACE -- Pellston is heading back to Battle Creek.
The Hornets clinched their second straight berth in the Class D state semifinals on Tuesday with a four-set win over Hancock in the St. Ignace quarterfinal.
"We're very excited," Hornets coach Tim McNitt said. "We had hundreds of fans there. They were supporting us even when we we were struggling. The crowd refused to let us die there."
Pellston (48-7-8) will play Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (45-12-4) at 3:45 on Thursday in the second semifinal of the day. The state title will be awarded Saturday at 10 a.m.
On Tuesday, Pellston advanced with a 25-14, 18-25, 25-23, 25-9 victory.
Hancock held an 18-5 advantage in the key third game, but the Hornets came back to tie the game at 21 and eventually win it.
"We discussed the simple things of the game and the mistakes we were making. And, we stopped making them," McNitt said.
Maggie Mikus and Katie Dzedzie each had big serving streaks during the rally while sophomore Taylor Friend put it away with three straight kills.
The Hornets then closed out the match with ease in the fourth set.
"We had all of the momentum and there was none left for them to take," McNitt said. "We refused to let them back in it."
Dzedzie had 14 kills, seven aces and 14 digs while Friend had 15 kills, three aces and 17 digs. Rachel Hutto had five kills and two blocks, Kristi Lewis had seven kills and two blocks, Samantha McNitt had 20 assists, three aces and 16 digs while Chelsea Bonter had 13 assists and 12 digs.
Also in Class D Tuesday, Leland saw its season come to a close with a 25-15, 25-15, 25-9 loss to Beal City at Big Rapids.
Host Cadillac punched its ticket to Battle Creek with a 25-18, 25-19, 25-20 victory over Fruitport in Class B. The Vikings (56-5-2) will play North Branch (74-5-2) at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
Prior to Cadillac's match on Friday, McBain will take on Bronson in the Class C semifinal. The Ramblers earned their way with a 25-21, 26-24, 21-25, 25-16 win over Calumet at Newberry.
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