HOUGHTON LAKE — Both coaches knew it was going to be a close game.
However, it was the Kingsley Stags who punched their ticket to the regional final after knocking off the top-ranked Roscommon Bucks 25-22, 28-26, 25-19 in their Division 3 semifinal final match Tuesday at Houghton Lake.
“We knew it was going to be a dog fight the whole way,” Kingsley coach Dave Hall said. “They are number one in the state for a reason.”
Kingsley trailed for most of the first game.
“That was one was huge — momentum-wise,” Hall said. “It rattled them a little bit and got us really confident. We really felt like that first one was the one we needed to get.”
The Bucks came into the match ranked No. 1 in the state with a 45-2 record. Roscommon beat No. 3-ranked Kingsley (52-4-1) twice earlier in the season — 25-22, 25-20 to open the season in Roscommon’s tournament and 25-21, 30-28 in the Cadillac Invitational.
“We played them over the summer and beat them,” Roscommon coach Gabe Williams said. “I knew they had gotten better since we played them. You’re ranked No. 1, but it doesn’t matter until that last team. I give credit to Kingsley. They are a great team. I am pretty confident they will win the region and be in Battle Creek.”
In the second game Tuesday, Kingsley jumped out to a 20-13 lead, but Roscommon tied it at 23-23 and had a couple of chances of winning with game point on the line.
“We blew the lead in the second one,” Hall said. “They went ahead a couple times with game point. We have had a dozen of those games this season and we have won nine out of 10 of them. We are really battled tested and it paid off.”
Aizlyn McKinley led Kingsley with six kills, 19 digs and four aces in the win.
Ariyah McKinley added a kill, two blocks and 13 digs, while Emilee Robinson had seven kills, two blocks and five digs.
Isabelle Seitz had 16 digs and two aces, Jenna Middleton 20 kills, 16 digs and one ace and Sarah Wooer 35 assists, 10 digs and one ace on the night.
“We put a couple of new wrinkles in and those things really paid off,” Hall said. “We got a bunch of kills on the slide, which we haven’t run much this year. It really made the difference.”
Roscommon’s coach said his team could have served better in the semifinal game.
“We did a lot of things well, they are a tough team,” said Williams. “We played good defense, they played great defense.”
The Kingsley coach said good communication and defense were crucial in the victory.
“We watched them warm up and thought if they hit like that it is going to be a long night,” Hall said. “Our defense was everywhere and they refused to let the ball hit the floor.”
Kingsley face No. 10 Beal City (35-9-1) Thursday at Houghton Lake in the regional final.
“We have to stay focus now,” said Hall. “We haven’t won anything yet. This win just gives us a shot.”