A cakewalk to the finals

Thu, Nov 5, 2009    to del.icio.us

After battling through arguably the toughest volleyball conference in the state this season — the O-K Red — Grand Haven will face two out-of-conference opponents as it goes for a Division 1 district title.

After Wednesday, it's now one step down, one to go.

The Bucs had little trouble taking care of visiting Kenowa Hills in the district semifinals at Grand Haven High School, sweeping the Knights in three games, 25-9, 25-6, 25-20. Grand Haven advances to Saturday's final, where it will have a chance to win its second-straight district crown. Cedar Springs stands in the way, as it topped Muskegon in Wednesday's other semifinal.

"We haven't seen (Cedar Springs) this season, but I'll take a look at them tonight. I've got some film on them," Grand Haven interim coach Aaron Smaka said, who coached despite battling illness. "I do know they're a scrappy team. A key for us as always will be controlling the ball on our side of the net. We got to pass well."

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The Bucs passed and did several other things well against the outmatched Knights. Ball control was a serious issue for Kenowa Hills, allowing the Bucs to smack down several free balls to the floor. The Bucs had three players with at least six kills, led by senior Mindy Marx's eight and six apiece from senior Kristin Woods and junior Emily Franks.

Serving was also a key factor in the Bucs' dominance, especially from Marx, who totaled 15-straight service points in Game 2, as she did a tremendous job of mixing speeds and ball placement on the frazzled Knights' defense.

Grand Haven struggled to put the Knights away in Game 3, partly due to the fact that Smaka mixed and matched a number of different lineups, including a pair of recent junior varsity call-ups in Megan Newhouse and Chloe Dault.

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"We got a lot of kids some experience, which was nice to see," Smaka said. "It was a great night. Everyone contributed.

"We played loud, quick and under control."

Marx led the Bucs with four aces, 20 points and three blocks. Senior setter Alyssa VanderStel finished with 24 assists, and kept the Knights off-balance by mixing in some quick tips at the net.

VanderStel said the Bucs have adjusted well since Smaka took over for former coach Steve Burmaster, who resigned from the position on Oct. 15 to take a coaching and teaching position near San Francisco, Calif.

"We've really had to rely on each other to get through it," she said. "But it's been a really smooth transition. (Coach Smaka) has made a lot of improvements and I think we are playing as well now as we have all season."

Saturday's final will begin at 10 a.m. at Grand Haven High School.