Usual suspects: Bethany Christian volleyball reaches MACS semifinals for 13th straight time

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

TROY — Some streaks are too good to be broken.

Troy Bethany Christian’s volleyball team is on quite a streak in the postseason and one the Bruins are not quite ready to relinquish.

The Bruins advanced to the semifinals of the Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division I state tournament Saturday with a 3-0 victory over visiting Rochester Hills Christian, giving the school their 13^th straight appearance in the MACS-I semifinals.

“We have been playing a lot better lately,” said Troy Bethany coach Cheryl Tremper. “We played a lot better than when we played them in the (regular season). We played them twice and split with them.

“We always seem to play some good volleyball in the tournament,” added Tremper. “We’ve had some great games with (Rochester Hills) in the past and I thought we really played good against them. We got into their heads a little bit in the third game.”

The Bruins (9-7-1) battled with the Eagles in the first two games before posting a pair of four-point victories. In Game 3, Bethany Christian built a big lead and maintained it.

The Bruins slapped the Eagles with a 25-21, 25-21, 25-13 exit from the postseason in the rubber match. The two teams split in Fundamental Baptist Athletic Conference Red Division play last month.

Additionally, Troy Bethany upset Rochester Hills Christian in a five-match thriller last October, also in the MACS-I state quarterfinals round, after the Eagles were ranked No. 1 in the state.

“That was a nice (upset) for us. We brought back a lot of girls from last year,” said Tremper.

That was last year, when Troy Bethany had ventured through a rebuilding season only to catch fire in the postseason. The Bruins were eventually ousted in the state semifinals to Bridgeport Baptist.

Against Rochester Hills in the quarterfinals this season, junior Michelle Temper helped kickstart a long 8-0 run in Game 3 with several quality serves, including three service points. Freshman Michelle Brewer played “her best game of the season”, according to Tremper.

Junior Lianna Sprankle and sophomore Sarah Bishop had 10 kills apiece to lead the Bruins.

“I thought Michelle’s serving was a big key for us. She didn’t have a lot of service points or aces, but she got on a role there in the third game,” said Tremper. “Michelle Brewer did a nice job as (outside) hitter. She replaced another girl who normally starts for us and had a really good game.”

Troy Bethany Christian (9-7-1) will face Carson City Fellowship Baptist Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the first semifinal at Holt Capitol City Baptist. Pittsford Freedom Farm Christian, winners of 10 state titles, will face Midland Calvary Baptist in the second semifinal at around 6 p.m.

The state title match will take place Friday at 7 p.m. at Midland Calvary.

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Below are the Michigan Association of Christian Schools regional finals pairings for boys soccer and girls volleyball

BOYS SOCCER

DIVISION I

Tuesday, Oct. 25

South Regional Finals — Troy Bethany Christian vs. Davison Faith Baptist at Rochester Hills Christian, 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 25

North Regional Finals — Vassar Juniata Christian vs. Rochester Hills Christian at Clarkston Springfield Christian 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 29

MACS Division I State Finals — Championship game at Clarkston Springfield Christian, 1 p.m.

DIVISION II

Tuesday, Oct. 25

South Regional Finals — Corunna Immanuel Baptist vs. Adrian Berean Baptist at Laingsburg Christian, 4:30 p.m.

NORTH REGIONAL FINALS

Tuesday, Oct. 25

North Regional Finals — Waterford Lakecrest Baptist vs. Saginaw Community Baptist at Bridgeport Baptist, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 29

MACS Division II State Finals — Championship game at Clarkston Springfield Christian, 11 a.m.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

DIVISION I

Tuesday, Oct. 25

South Regional Finals: Pittsford Freedom Farm Christian vs. Midland Calvary Baptist at Holt Capitol City Baptist, 6 p.m.

North Regional Final: Carson City Fellowship Baptist vs. Troy Bethany Christian at Holt Capitol City Baptist, 4 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 28

MACS Division I State Finals — Championship match at Midland Calvary Baptist, 7 p.m.

DIVISION II

Tuesday, Oct. 25

North Regional Finals — Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian vs. Wixom Christian at Midland Calvary Baptist, 5:30 p.m.

South Regional Finals — Adrian Berean Baptist vs. Saginaw Community Baptist at Owosso Christian, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 28

MACS Division II State Finals — Championship match at Midland Calvary Baptist, 5 p.m.

Tags: girls volleyball, High School Girls Volleyball, Michigan Association of Christian Division I Girls Volleyball, Prep Girls Volleyball, Rochester Hills Christian Girls Volleyball, Troy Bethany Christian Girls Volleyball, volleyball

Category: High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps, Rochester Hills Christian, Troy Bethany Christian