GRAND HAVEN TWP. — It was missing the vendors and music, but there was still a Battle on the Boardwalk to be had in 2020. Moved indoors, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Fruitport and Mona Shores got together for their annual matches.

The weekend was the first of the fall season to feature indoor events in the region, with volleyball matches and swim meets taking place in the area.

Thursday was as normal a night on the high school schedule as we’ve seen in months. Soccer, swimming and volleyball matches were all part of a busy night, along with the fall sports that had a full start to their seasons.

Grand Haven’s cross country season is still young, but it’s about to get a lot busier.

Thursday’s news on the remaining fall sports was definitely positive for players and coaches, but arrived just a little late to change plans for Thursday and Friday’s action.

Following a new executive order from Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, the MHSAA has reinstated football into the fall sports calendar.

New guidance from the governor’s office on Thursday afternoon opened up indoor gyms and pools in the middle of next week, marking positive news for a handful of fall sports.

A meeting of the MHSAA’s Representative Council Friday yielded little change to current guidelines governing play for boys soccer, volleyball and girls swimming.

The weekend featured a handful of area schools in action, as golf, tennis and cross country are all cleared to compete across the state.

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — While some people saw Thursday’s news from the MHSAA as a source of frustration, Grand Haven volleyball coach Aaron Smaka took a completely different approach.

Those awaiting good news on the fate of three fall high school sports – boys soccer, girls swim and dive, and volleyball – will have to wait a little longer to find out if they can face opponents this fall.

Try as they might, they just couldn't get it done.

While the spring sports season for Michigan’s high-school athletes was taken away by the coronavirus pandemic, there is still plenty of hope that the fall will be able to go on.

GRAND HAVEN TWP. — In her time at the University of Michigan, Abby (Cole) Hatch saw the full value of an athletic scholarship as a member of the Wolverines’ volleyball team.

GRAND HAVEN — Some participants had snowpants and winter boots on. Others opted for lighter clothing with layers underneath.

HUDSONVILLE — Western Michigan Christian battled early in their state quarterfinal match against number one Schoolcraft, but was unable to put together sustained runs in their 3-0 loss.

HESPERIA — With their sweep of Pewamo-Westphalia Thursday night, Western Michigan Christian punched their ticket to the Division 3 state quarterfinals.

HOLLAND — After taking the third set of their regional semifinal against Hudsonville, Grand Haven had momentum and two sets to defeat the Eagles. In a flash, Hudsonville changed up their attack, and hit the Buccaneers hard early in the fourth set by winning 10 of the first 11 points. 

GRAND HAVEN — Grand Haven volleyball had a goal that stretched beyond winning games or trophies. It was simply to be playing their best volleyball at the tail end of their season.

MUSKEGON – The Fruitport volleyball team’s season came to an end Wednesday in a four-set district semifinal loss to Montague.

GRAND HAVEN — Grand Haven volleyball’s district semifinal went exactly according to plan on Wednesday. The Buccaneers took care of business early against an outnumbered and outmatched Muskegon team, and won a convincing three-set match 25-6, 25-9, 25-9.

GRAND HAVEN — Nothing is a guarantee come playoff time. Grand Haven made sure there would be no upset on the cards in their district first-round match against Muskegon Mona Shores on Monday, defeating the Sailors in three sets 25-19, 25-14, 25-20.

With tonight’s 3-0 win over East Kentwood, Grand Haven’s volleyball team clinched a conference championship. The Bucs won their match 25-18, 25-21, 25-22. The win moved Grand Haven to 11-1 in conference play and 46-7 on the season.

ROCKFORD - The Grand Haven volleyball team needed five sets in each of their wins Thursday night. The Bucs first took on Grandville and ended the night with a match against West Ottawa. 

GRAND HAVEN – Senior Sarah Knoll had bounced back and forth between positions early in the volleyball season. After Tuesday night's performance against Rockford, she just might be onto something.

FRUITPORT – The Trojans hosted Spring Lake and Whitehall for their tri match Thursday night. Whitehall came away 2-0, Fruitport went 1-1 and Spring Lake came away 0-2. The three teams battled all night long starting with the match between the Trojans and the Vikings.

Grand Haven volleyball held the Grand Haven early season invite on Tuesday evening. The field included Jenison, Portage Northern, Battle Creek Lakeview, West Ottawa, Mattawan,Forest Hills Central and Mona Shores.

A pair of titles for West Michigan Christian over the weekend plus Grand Haven volleyball hosts a 16-team tournament.