PORTAGE — Among a power-packed group of high school volleyball teams at Saturday’s Huskie Invitational at Portage Northern, Sturgis navigated pool play to earn a trip to the quarterfinals and finished with a 2-2-1 record for the day.
The Trojans fell to eventual champion East Grand Rapids 25-8, 25-15. East Grand Rapids beat Mattawan 25-23, 25-23 in the finals and topped Three Rivers 25-21, 25-10 in the semifinals.
Sturgis split with Three Rivers 16-25, 25-17, beat Livonia Churchill 26-24, 25-19 and topped Portage Northern 26-24, 25-15 before dropping a match to Mendon, 20-25, 24-26 in power pool play.
Rachel Anderson recorded 44 kills, 11 blocks and 17 digs for the Trojans. Kelsy Metzger had 72 assists, eight service aces and 11 digs, Hollie Myers added 20 kills and 20 digs, Jamie Lioy weighed in with 10 kills and 26 digs and Hannah Marchand chipped in eight kills and 0 digs.
“Dealing with receive and defensive issues most of the day,” Sturgis coach Von Metzger said. “Had a couple of nice matches against Churchill and Northern. Showed some nice potential, but we must be able to pass, serve and play better floor defense. Good tournament to give us an indication of where we are and what our weaknesses are.”