MT. PLEASANT – Despite the success that the Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart volleyball program has enjoyed over the years, including winning its last four Class D regional titles, the Irish have yet to break through and reach Battle Creek.
The Irish will look to change that Tuesday, when they meet No. 3 Leland for the fourth straight year in a Class D quarterfinal at Buckley.
Leland has gotten the best of Sacred Heart in each of the prior three meetings, dropping only one set to the Irish.
Unlike in previous years where the Irish have conquered district and regional play with relative ease, Sacred Heart has been challenged this postseason, getting pushed to five sets by McBain Northern Michigan Christian in a district final and by Pentwater in Thursday’s regional title match.
"They’re very well-coached and very disciplined,” Sacred Heart coach Krista Davis said. “They perform well. They execute their fundamentals well. They know the game well. So we definitely have our work cut out for us. We have been challenged a lot lately, and that’s good, and I like that. And that’s what a coach wants to see in her team. He or she wants to see the team rise to those challenges, and so far, so good. This team has done that."
The winner of Tuesday’s quarterfinal will meet either No. 1 Plymouth Christian or No. 2 Mendon Friday at 3:45 p.m.
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