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Mattawan Invitational

February 17, 2007

Some truly amazing volleyball was played at the Mattawan Invitational on Saturday. This was a reflection of  possibly the deepest field ever to attend what is always one of the state’s top tournaments. Eight of the twelve participating teams were ranked in the top ten in Class A and B, and the Gold Bracket finale featured a face off between the two #1's, East Kentwood (Class A) and Grand Rapids South Christian.

East Kentwood won this latest meeting 25-22, 25-20, 25-15, to take a 4-3 lead in their series. South Christian came to the tournament fresh from a 25-10, 25-13, 26-24 triumph over sixth ranked (Class A) Caledonia Thursday night.

In the semifinals East Kentwood topped Portage Northern 25-18, 25-23, 25-19, while South Christian downed Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 25-15, 25-23, 25-14. Portage won the consolation 25-23, 25-21, 25-14.

Those who saw only the Silver Bracket were treated to both great play and that special kind of tension that volleyball affords when equally matched opponents duke it out in a tiebreaker.

Bloomfield Hills Marian and Fraser, located just a few miles from each other on the north side of Detroit, clashed in a sizzling Silver final played 30 miles from Lake Michigan. Marian staunched a big comeback by the Ramblers to capture the title 25-22, 25-18, 20-25, 15-25, 19-17.

All the other Silver matches went four games, with Fraser taking Hamilton 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-18 in one semifinal and Marian over Battle Creek Lakeview 25-16, 27-29, 25-22, 25-19 in the other. Hamilton won the consolation 25-21, 17-25, 26-24, 25-20.

Portage Central won the Bronze Bracket, taking Zeeland 3-1. Okemos downed host Mattawan in the consolation 3-1. In the semifinals it was Portage Central over Okemos 3-1 25-16, 25-20, 23-25, 25-10, and Zeeland over Mattawan 25-22, 19-25, 19-25, 25-14, 15-9.

All-Tournament Team

Ashley Kimball and Kelsey Jones, Forest Hills Northern

Cecille Jarrad and Laura McDonnell, Portage Northern

Jenn Skinner and Kendra Potgeter, South Christian

Brittany McGinnis, Fraser

Maureen McDonald, Marian

Megan Steenhuysen, East Kentwood.

Tournament MVP: Lauren Jones, East Kentwood