Two St. Joseph County volleyball programs are still alive in the Michigan High School Athletic Association postseason tournament with Three Rivers and Mendon chasing Class B and Class A regional titles, respectively. Here’s a look at their opponents heading into Tuesday’s semifinal matches:
Class B Regional Semifinals
Three Rivers’ volleyball team, fresh off its second Class B district title in as many years, heads to Plainwell Tuesday at 7 p.m. to take on Berrien Springs in the regional semifinals. The Wildcats are 44-7-6. The teams have met three times this season, with Three Rivers winning two matches.
Named an honorable mention in the final Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association rankings on Nov. 2, the Shamrocks won their third district title by knocking off Stevensville Lakeshore 16-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-15. Berrien Springs is led by four-year starter Holly Toliver, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter named a Miss Volleyball candidate this season. She was a first-team All-State selection as a junior and will play for Michigan State next year.
The Shamrocks lost to eventual state champion Lake Odessa Lakewood in last year’s state quarterfinal match. Coach Rick Ashmore was terminated in September and was replaced by former coach Jim Bermingham.
Class C Regional Semifinals
Mendon, ranked No. 1 in Class C with a 46-7-2 record, takes on Concord (38-10-5) in the regional semifinals at Adrian Madison. The Yellow Jackets made it to the state semifinals in 2012. They beat Michigan Center in three games on Nov. 7 for a third consecutive district championship after claiming their third straight Big 8 Conference crown.
Concord reloaded after losing two first-team All-State players, a third that made the second team and another that was an honorable mention.