PCA sweeps way to district title

Plymouth Christian Academy’s varsity girls volleyball team Friday took an expected step in its championship quest.

The Eagles posted a 3-0 victory over Ann Arbor Rudolf Steiner in the Class D district final at PCA. With the 25-14, 25-10, 25-13 triumph, coach DJ Kellogg’s team now gears up for the regionals hosted by Morenci which open Tuesday.

“The postseason has our team fired up,” Kellogg said.

PCA (30-11-3) was led by Grace Kellogg, who had 13 kills.

Chipping in with eight kills and five defensive digs was Olivia Mady, while the attack was orchestrated by setter Jessica Paulson’s 21 assists.

Several other Eagles helping close out the championship included Gabriella Kellogg (five kills), Ruth Doty (three digs) and Divna Roi (two digs).

According to the coach, PCA faced an opponent that gave it all they had.

“Their girls were a very vocal team and communicated well,” he said. “... They were a great example of good sportsmanship before, during and after the match.”

Semifinal win

The Eagles got off to a good start in the postseason girls volleyball tournament Wednesday, handily winning its Class D semifinal against Lutheran Westland in three sets.

The Eagles, a top-ranked team with championship aspirations, defeated the pesky Warriors 25-17, 25-18 and 25-8 in one of two district contests at PCA. In the other, Ann Arbor Rudolf Steiner swept to victory over Huron Valley Lutheran (also 3-0).

PCA and Rudolf Steiner will collide in the district finals, 7 p.m. Friday.

"Lutheran Westland is a well-coached team," Eagles head coach DJ Kellogg said. "We've played them twice already this season and know what they were capable of.

"We certainly couldn't take them for granted. We saw it most in the first game. They wanted it and fought hard. It was not an easy game."

Kellogg added that the Warriors seemed to lose "a little steam in the second and third games. We knew they had another gear or two and had to be careful. Our girls wanted it too and played well overall. They had good energy the whole match."

Leading PCA with 12 and 11 kills, respectively, were sisters Gabriella Kellogg and Grace Kellogg. Olivia Mady chipped in with eight kills and 12 defensive digs.

Other contributors for the Eagles included setter Jessica Paulson (26 assists, six digs), Abbi Pray (eight assists) and Divna Roi (five digs).

tsmith@hometownlife.com

Twitter: @TimSmith_Sports