Card top Hurons in volleyball district finals

Lady Cardinal players and fans celebrated an exciting win over Rogers City. (Photo by Richard Lamb)

The Onaway Cardinals won the district volleyball title Friday over Rogers City in four sets 25-20, 25-19, 18-25 27-25.

Rogers City jumped out to an early 10-3 lead in the first game but Onaway battled back, capitalizing on Rogers City errors to tie the game at 11. The game would be tied at 15 and again at 18 but Onaway pulled ahead for good on a kill by Mariah Ehrke which she followed with an ace serve. Kills by Devin Bristley and Lexi Szymoniak sealed the deal.
After starting game two tied at one Onaway pulled ahead and never looked back. Rogers City showed fight as they never gave in and battled back the whole game but Onaway proved too much.
Rogers City would take game three to force a fourth game, which proved to be the battle of the night. The score would be tied four times before Onaway pulled ahead. With the score 22-17 Rogers City got the ball back on a kill by Jena Tulgestke and showed some life. Rogers City would battle back to make it 24-24.Onaway pulled ahead by one on a Rogers City error before things got interesting.

Huron junior Jena Tulgestke blasts a shot in the district championship match with Onaway.
Mariah Ehrke then went down with an ankle injury and came out of the game. Sarah Meredith got the ball back for Rogers City with a shoot to make it 25 all when Ehrke came out. Onaway took a lead on a carry called on Tulgestke and won the game the next play.

The Cards take on Pellston Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the St. Ignace middle school in the first round of regional action.

Engadine takes on Brimley in the 5:30 p.m. regional semifinal with the winners to square off Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at St. Ignace middle school. The regional winner advances to the Class D quarterfinals Nov. 19 at a site to be determined.

More details later on PIAdvance.com.