CHARLEVOIX — Traverse City St. Francis’ road to Battle Creek once again goes through the Upper Peninsula.
The Gladiators head north for Thursday’s regional finals after defeating Johannesburg-Lewiston 25-16, 25-9, 25-18 in Tuesday’s regional semifinal at Charlevoix.
The No. 7-ranked Glads (31-16) face Painsdale-Jeffers (14-10) at 6 p.m. Thursday in Newberry. The last two years, on the way to state championship appearances, TCSF had to play part of the regional round in Sault Ste. Marie against Calumet.
If it gets past Jeffers, St. Francis would face either No. 3 Kingsley or No. 10 Beal City in a Nov. 18 quarterfinal at Traverse City West.
In Tuesday’s match, the Gladiators were led by Quinn Yenshaw (nine kills, five digs, four aces, three blocks), Harper Nausadis (five kills, six digs, one ace, one block), Reese Muma (seven kills, two digs, one block), Lola Brown (eight kills), Reese Jones (22 assists, 11 digs, two kills, four aces), Coco Miller (13 digs, two aces) and Lucy Wichern (three kills, four digs, two aces, three blocks and five assists).
Joburg ends the season with a 33-8-4 record.
Gaylord St. Mary falls to Atlanta
Gaylord St. Mary lost its regional semifinal to Atlanta 7-25, 15-25, 19-25.
The Snowbirds were down 11-0 in the first set, but were tied 11-11 in the second and 8-8 in the third.
St. Mary was led by Laney Perdue (four kills, five digs, two blocks), Payton Glasby (three kills, 19 digs), Lily Keister (three kills, six digs, six blocks, two aces), Savannah Collazo (three kills), Kaylee Jeffers (six digs, six assists), Cheyenne Thompson (10 digs) and Emery Blust (five digs, three assists).
The Snowbirds finish the season season 18-10-1.