BATTLE CREEK – As Cadillac volleyball coach Michelle Brines prepares her team for its first state semifinal appearance since 2013, she does so knowing she’ll spot a familiar face on the opposing sideline Thursday.
Brines and the Vikings will face top-ranked Lake Odessa Lakewood and Brines’ former mentor Kellie Rowland in a Class B semifinal at 7:15 p.m. at Battle Creek’s Kellogg Arena.
"Kellie (Rowland), who is the Lakewood volleyball coach, my very first coaching job was her JV coach. So, it’s mentor playing mentee, so that’s pretty crazy,” Brines said. “They play outstanding defense, they don’t make a lot of errors, but it’s anything goes at this point and we’re excited to have the opportunity. This has been a goal since we’ve been there, you know, we were always trying to get back and for them to get us there, because we have five seniors and I’m sure they are beyond excited, as am I.”
A win Thursday for Cadillac would give the Vikings their first berth into a state title match, while Lake Odessa Lakewood would make its second appearance in a state final since 2014 and third since winning the Class B championship in 2012.
Thursday’s winner will face either No. 3 North Branch or No. 5 Buchanan at 4 p.m. Saturday.
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