By Chad Wingert (Contact / Staff Bio)

Originally published November 4, 2009, 03:04 p.m. EST. Updated November 4, 2009, 03:04 p.m. EST

PORT SANILAC — The Kingston volleyball team and head coach Liisa Hill grabbed an opening round district win over Carsonville-Port Sanilac Monday night, sweeping the Tigers in three straight sets (25-19, 25-15, 25-18).

Abby Brzezinski led the Cardinals offense by scoring 12 points and adding 14 digs and three kills while Marissa Michalski served up 10 points with nine digs. Megan James served went 15-for-15 with 10 points and three aces from the service line while adding four kills and 10 digs. Shelby Crousore piled up 13 digs and four kills alongside Chelsea Leach, who had five kills on the night.

With the win, Kingston advances to round two of district play on Wednesday, when they will take on Peck, at 7 p.m.

Mayville moves on

MARLETTE — Mayville was able to sweep Sandusky (25-22, 25-15, 25-18) Monday night and punch their ticket to round to of district play. They will face New Haven on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Leading the Wildcats on the night were Tessa Buhl with nine kills, six digs, two blocks and five points while Chelsea Roehl posted eight kills, 10 digs and five points. Amy Elenbaum ran Mayville’s offense effectively by dishing out 23 assists and grabbing six points while Kelsey Schenk added three kills and six digs. Jamie Binder gathered three kills and a block alongside Wendy Werner, who had 100% serving on the night to go with her 15 digs and five points. Liz Richardson scored 14 points on the night.

USA steals first round win

BAD AXE — USA ended Harbor Beach’s season Monday night with a four-set win over the Pirates (25-18, 25-14, 15-25, 25-13).

Cami Valentine had 13 points, three aces, 19 receptions and six digs to lead the Patriots while sister Calie Valentine set up 11 assists and tallied 11 points. Brittany Gruehn collected 12 points, three aces, nine receptions and three digs in the win alongside Jenny Williamson, who tacked on nine kills, 14 receptions and five digs.

Maddy Payton put down three kills, one block, two assists and four receptions whil Chelsey Ewald set up 11 assists and added 13 points, two aces and four dige. Rachel Mowry had 10 kills and Mackenzie Treiber had five while Sami Eisengruber chipped in with five kills, one assist, two dig and a block.

With the win, USA advances to round two of district play Wednesday (today) when they take on host Bad Axe, at 8p.m.

Reese squeaks past New Lothrop

REESE — The Reese volleyball team was able to advance to round two of district play after sneaking past an athletic New Lothrop team in four sets (25-20, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17). But, Reese head coach Amanda Robinson says the win can be credited to the Rockets’ preparation.

“We really prepared well for this game. We knew it would be tough. But, if we stayed consistent with our game we knew we could come out on top,” Robinson said. “These girls were able to place the ball where they needed and they defensed New Lothrop well. New Lothrop is a good team and it was a very intense match.”

Tiffany Buchinger set the tone for Reese with 16 kills, 14 assists and 10 digs while Kaitlyn Squanda set up a team-high 20 assists and chipped in with 12 kills and 11 digs. Kayla Sahr gathered 23 digs, seven kills and two aces while Kelly Wright collected 10 kills and 10 digs.

Defensively, the Rockets were led by Amber Gotham with 32 digs and two aces.

With the win, Reese will take on Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy Wednesday (today) at 8 p.m.

“I feel good about Wednesday’s game,” Robinson said. “If we get past them, we can play in the finals on Thursday.”

North Branch takes first step with win over Yale

CARO — North Branch opened up district play Monday with a win over the Blue Water Area Conference champs Yale (25-8, 25-15, 25-16).

Things did not get interesting for the Broncos until the third set when North Branch held just a two-point lead over the Bulldogs (11-9). However, the Broncos would stretch their lead to seven points before closing out the third and final set with six straight points.

Jordan Fish came just short of a triple double for the Broncos, posting 22 assists, 10 kills and nine digs while Danika Racknor piled up eight kills and eight digs. Katie Owens chipped in with six kills and two aces while Catherine Brusie led the defense with 16 digs and two aces. Hailey Smillie had eight digs.

The first-round win for North Branch sets up a TVC East matchup between rivals Caro and the Broncos, set for Wednesday (today) at 6 p.m.

With the win, North Branch improves to 69-5-2 on the season.