Pontiac

Pontiac Notre Dame volleyball season comes to a close in quarters

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Donna Agusti Pontiac Notre Dame Prep's Madeline Blocki (8) and Danielle McCormick (12) go up for a block in a match earlier this season. Prep fell in three games to North Branch High in a Class B quarterfinal. Photo by Donna Agusti Pontiac Notre Dame Prep's Madeline Blocki (8) and Danielle McCormick (12) go up for a block in a match earlier this season. Prep fell in three games to North Branch High in a Class B quarterfinal.

PONTIAC — North Branch High volleyball kept its state championship dream alive and is one of the final four teams left in Class B.

The Broncos beat Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 25-18, 25-14 and 26-24 Nov. 13 at Prep in a quarterfinal.

"We're excited to be moving on. We're not going to beat a team like this unless we go aggressive, and we did," North Branch coach James Fish said.

The Broncos dominated the first two sets before running into some resistance in game three. The Broncos trailed 23-21 at one point, before libero Rachel Fish's ace ended the game.

"Their outside hitters dominated us in game three, but we pulled together and came through," North Branch outside hitter Laura Wilson said.

Prep finishes the year 52-10-4.

"Our kids played their hearts out. It wasn’t all there, and they weren’t able to perform some of the skills that they normally do, but they played hard, and I’m so proud of them battling back in that last set,” Prep coach Betty Wroubel said.

The Broncos go to 67-7-1 overall and taking on Whitehall High at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in Battle Creek.

In other local volleyball action:

Farmington Hills Mercy and Birmingham Seaholm each lost in their quarterfinal bids.

Mercy fell to Temperance Bedford in four games, while the Maples lost to Macomb Dakota in three. Dakota now takes on Fenton High or Northville High at 7:15 p.m. Nov. 16 in Battle Creek.

In Class C, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian lost to Monroe St. Marcy Catholic Central in three games.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062. Follow Christian on Twitter.