BATTLE CREEK – The Cadillac Vikings saw their dream volleyball season end in heartbreak on Saturday night, as they fell to North Branch in the Division 2 State Championship match, 3-0.
The first set was an absolutely epic see-saw battle of emotions, as the Vikings ran off 11 straight points in the middle of the set to take a 19-9 lead. But, the Broncos battled back, fighting off five set points and eventually tying the set at 24. Cadillac would have four more set point opportunities from there, but could not close it out, and North Branch took the first set 31-29.
From there, the Broncos took set two 25-18 and set three 25-17 to claim their first state title since 2016.
“If we could’ve just gotten one of those set points, who knows what would’ve happened,” said Cadillac Head Coach Michelle Brines. “But, obviously we would’ve been in a huge dogfight, but I was really proud of my team because I don’t know that people gave us much of a chance at all.”
The Vikings finish as state runners-up for the first time in program history, in Brines’ sixth appearance in Battle Creek for the Semifinals and Finals weekend.
“It needs To be celebrated, you know what I mean? You’re second. And you were right there in the first set, and I’m just super proud.”
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