The Trojans' Jenna Arnold (5) returns the volleyball over Justine Hatfield (2) of Pickford during the Class D district championship match Thursday, November 6. The Cedarville Trojans went to a fifth and deciding match against the Pickford Panthers to win their ninth Class D district championship under Coach Kathy Trevarrow at the John Duncan Gymnasium in Cedarville Thursday, November 6.

The Trojans won the first two matches 25-20 and 25-17 before the Panthers regrouped to post a 25-17 and 25-19 decision and force the fifth game, which Cedarville took with a 15-11 series-clinching victory.

Pickford took control in the deciding match with an 8-2 lead, but Cedarville bounced back as Billie McLeod served five unanswered points to notch the game at 8.

The Panthers held an 11-9 edge before the Trojans scored off a Pickford serve and senior Kacie Simpson closed out the championship for Cedarville with five consecutive serves.

"We played as a team in the first two matches, but played tight in game three and four," said Coach Trevarrow. "After being down 8-2, we were relaxed and played together with more focus."

The Eagle's Elisa Hobbs (5) and Kacie Rutledge (2) go high above the net to block the ball against Mid Peninsula. In the first match, Cedarville broke a 12-12 tie and took the lead for good to record a five-point win and, in the second game, the Trojans led 19-11 before the Panthers' Callie Smith served six straight points to close the advantage to 19-17, but Billie McLeod closed out the win with five serving points.

Cheyenne Cline opened the third match with three service points. Later in the game, the senior served six unanswered points that were key in the Panthers' win.

During the fourth match, the serving of Kristen Cline and Callie Smith put a spark in the Panthers' offense that forced the fifth and deciding match.

Cedarville won consecutive district championships from 2000 to 2006, and Pickford took the title in the spring of 2007, while the Trojans bounced back for the crown in fall 2007 and captured their ninth district in 2008.

The Panthers' Cheyenne Cline (1) returns the volleyball over Jenna Arnold of the Trojans. Cedarville advanced to the regionals at Johannesburg- Lewiston on Tuesday, November 11. Trojans statistics: Billie McLeod, 23 kills, two aces, one block kill; Jillian Collins, 34 assists, two kills; Jenna Arnold, nine kills, one ace; Kacie Simpson, nine kills, two aces, one block kill; Jessie Duncan, five kills, one ace; Ashley Sweeney, two kills, two aces.

Panthers statistics: Cheyenne Cline, nine kills, seven blocks, five aces; Callie Smith, four aces, nine kills; Justine Hatfield, nine kills, one ace; Kristen Cline, four kills; Rachel Schmitigal, 24 assists; Megan Arbic, three kills.

Cedarville Sweeps Brimley for

Semifinal Win

Cedarville defeated conference foe Brimley Bays 25-22, 25-22, and 25-22 in the Class D semifinals Wednesday, November 5.

"The key to the win over Brimley was our defense," said Coach Trevarrow. "Our libero, Rachelle Hansen, did a great job and the whole team hustled really well."

Trojans statistics: Jillian Collins, 24 assists, one ace; Billie McLeod, 13 kills, one ace; Kacie Simpson, eight kills, four aces; Jessie Duncan, five kills, two aces; Jenna Arnold, five kills, two aces; Ashley Sweeney, three kills, four aces, one block kill.

Bays statistics were unavailable.

Panthers Down Raiders in

Semifinals

The Pickford Panthers swept DeTour Raiders 25-10, 25-15, 25- 15 in the Class D semifinals Wednesday, November 5.

Panthers statistics: Cheyenne Cline, eight kills, two aces; Justine Hatfield, eight kills, 10 assists; Callie Smith, five kills, six assists; Rachel Schmitigal, 18 assists, two kills; Jamie Rifenburg, two kills, two aces.

Raiders' statistics were unavailable.

Trojans Sweep Lakers

The Cedarville Trojans swept the Mackinac Island Lakers 25-17, 25-20, and 25-22 Monday, November 3.

Trojans statistics: Billie McLeod, nine kills, three bock kills, two aces; Kacie Simpson, five kills, five aces; Jillian Collins, 29 assists; Jessie Duncan, five kills, four aces; Jenna Arnold, five kills, three aces.

Lakers statistics: Morgan Brodeur-Bunker, 33 sets, three aces; Danielle Wightman, three aces, four sets; Michi Mullings, 10 sets, two aces, six blocks; Maggie Chambers, three sets, one ace, three blocks; Marie Bunker, one ace, five sets

Eagles Win 5th District

Title; Set School Record

With 30 Victories

The Engadine Eagles girls volleyball team set a new school record with a 30-10-1 overall record this year, breaking the victory mark of 28 wins established by 2006-07 team before the change in season. The volleyball season was changed from winter to fall in 2007.

The Eagles made the mark during their successful quest for their fifth consecutive Class D district championship with victories over Rapid River (25-20, 22-25, 26-24, 25-19) in the quarterfinals; Grand Marais (25-6, 25-17, 25-3) in the semifinals, and Mid Peninsula (25- 22, 25-16, 25-15) in the title match at Big Bay de Noc Saturday, November 8.

The Eagles, Baraga, North Dickinson, and Crystal Falls-Forest Park will tangle in the regional semifinals, with the championship match set for Thursday, November 13, at Baraga. The winner advances to the quarterfinals in Pellston Tuesday, November 18.

The Eagles recorded 81 aces during the three-team series, which played a factor in the district championship.

"We were mentally prepared in the final four and played much better than against Rapid River," said Eagles Coach Kathy Miller.

Eagles combined statistics: Lauren MacArthur, 22 aces, 13 kills, 10 digs; Kayla Miller, 21 aces, 38 assists, nine digs, seven kills; Elisa Hobbs, 20 aces, 33 kills, seven digs, one block kill; Shannon Browning, nine aces, 18 digs; Kacie Rutledge, three aces, 16 assists, four digs, two kills; Leah Blanchard, kills, one block kill; Oyuna Gabbard, five aces, two digs; Lynzee Bigelow, six kills; Erica Bryers, three kills; Katie Hobbs, two kills; Morgan Mac - Arthur, one ace.