TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City Central clinched a third consecutive Big North Conference championship with a straight-sets win Wednesday over Alpena.
The Trojans won 25-17, 25-11, 25-4 against the Wildcats.
The TC Central win, coupled by Traverse City West’s win over Petoskey, clinched the BNC crown with two matches left.
The Trojans were led by Elyssa Heffner (16 kills, two aces, seven digs), Erica Heffner (six kills, two digs), Hadley Humphray (11 assists, two digs), Macy Parker (four aces, five digs, one block), Marley Richmond (19 assists, one kill, one ace, four digs), Sable Dankers (five kills, one dig, two blocks), Macaire Kudary (five kills, one dig), Sidney Richmond (23 digs, three aces, one ace), Marlie McGregor (three digs), Annika Powis (two kills, one block, one dig), Adelae Nelesen (one ace, one dig) and Bella Hernalsteen (two kills).
The Trojans are 32-1-1 this season (8-0 Big North Conference), hosting Elk Rapids in a scrimmage Thursday before traveling across town to play TC West next Wednesday.
“I know it’s going to be a tough match,” Central head coach Emily Wilbert said. “It always is when we play each other. I’m anticipating it will be a fun match. I also hope there is a good turnout so we can raise more money for Meredith Hawes, our breast cancer honoree.”
Central won the BNC outright the last two years and shared the 2022 crown with Cadillac.
The Trojans joins Kingsley as volleyball teams that have already clinched conference championships this season.
VOLLEYBALL
TC West sweeps Petoskey
Traverse City West def. Petoskey 25-15, 25-21, 25-21.
TC West leaders: Madeline Bildeaux 11 kills, 3 blocks, 4 digs; Emma Flick 17 digs; Abella Gallagher 28 assists, 7 digs; Emily Kelsey 3 aces, 6 kills, 5 digs; Olivia Kandow 6 blocks, 4 kills; Judy Steffens 8 kills, 6 digs; Kendal Sierzputowski 6 digs, 2 aces.
UP NEXT: The Titans (22-6, 5-3 Big North) host TC Central in their Dig Pink game Oct. 23.
CROSS COUNTRY
Bear Lake girls, Sinke win WMC crowns
Girls team scores: 1. Bear Lake-Onekama 21; 2. Mason County Eastern 35.
Girls top 20 area finishers: 1. Callie Sinke 19:47 Bear Lake-Onekama; 2. Addy Zeller 20:12 BLO; 4. Melodie Hulinek 21:09 BLO; 5. Natalie Brown 21:45 BLO; 11. Peyton Buckner 23:47 BLO; 12. Isabella Card 24:09 BLO; 18. Jewlia Trowbridge 26:37 Mesick; 20. Liberty Daugherty 27:22 BLO.
Boys team scores: 1. Mason County Eastern 19; 2. Mesick 56; 3. Pentwater 61.
Boys top 20 area finishers: 2. Mason Sinke 16:14 BLO; 3. Kyle Redman 16:35 Mesick; 8. Greyson Hoeflinger 18:31 BLO; 12. Caleb Forward 19:38 BLO; 14. Alex Kastl 20:08 Mesick; 19. Noah Spencer 20:54 Mesick.