Volleyball: Carney advances to D4 state semifinals
MANISTIQUE — Carney-Nadeau earned its first trip to the MHSAA state volleyball semifinals with a thrilling five-set win over Onaway.
The C-N Wolves held off a hard-charging Onaway team by winning the fifth set in the quarterfinals. Getting up early in the final set was key, according to Carney-Nadeau coach Steve Kedsch.
“I told them to just be ourself.” said Kedsch after the 25-22, 23-25,25-20, 20-25, 15-9 conquest.
“When we are on the attack, we are a tough team to stop. We just need to get the ball to our setters and let them get to work. Keep chipping away.”
The Wolves went up 9-3 in the decisive set on two kills by Taylor Kedsch, an ace from Alanis Harris and a block kill from Liana Blahnik.
Onaway closed to within 14-9 in the fifth, before the last of Kedsch’s team-high 17 kills won the two-hour and 15-minute quarterfinal.
“This win is big for our program,” said Kedsch.
“I am very proud of how the girls responded in a tight match. This was two evenly matched teams playing at a high level tonight.”
Onaway’s senior hitter Calley Selke set a school match record with 24 kills. She also had 19 digs and two blocks. Setter Mallorie Neelis led the Cardinal offense with 39 assists.
Carney-Nadeau’s other stat leaders behind kill leader Kedsch included Sandra Boulton with 16 kills, Layla Blahnik-Thoune with eight kills and four aces and setter Talisha McCullough with 28 assists.
“Defensively we did a great job,” said coach Kedsch.
“I feel we do a good job in all aspects of the game. Tonight our defense was big to beat a good Onaway team.”
Carney-Nadeau next plays Leland in the semifinals Friday at Battle Creek.
ALSO: Kingsley, which defeated Kingsford in a Division 2 regional semifinal, lost to Corunna 3-0 in a state quarterfinal.