LELAND — Grand Traverse Academy won its first district volleyball game since 2018 with a five-set victory against Leland.
The Mustangs (21-15-5) toppled the defending state finalist Comets 23-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10 in Monday’s Division 4 district tournament at Suttons Bay.
“This is huge,” GTA coach Rob Kinney said. “To beat Leland, the storied program around here, is amazing. It was a thriller.”
Leland led the match 2-1 after three games, and GT Academy came out strong in the fourth to lead 11-2 — featuring four kills by Megan Pavowski — before finally winning 25-20.
“Megan dominated at the net all night,” Kinney said. “Sadie (Brown), Megan and Eden (Hadfield), our three captains, showed some real leadership on the court tonight. The whole team came up big. Coming off the bench was Savannah Smith, hitting 100 percent of her serves.”
The Mustangs face Traverse City Christian (19-19-2) in Wednesday’s semifinal at Suttons Bay at 5:30 p.m., followed by Lake Leelanau St. Mary (26-14-3) against the Norsemen (17-12).
GT Academy was led statistically by Hadfield (four aces, four kills, 12 assists, 15 digs), Brown (two aces, four kills, five blocks, 11 digs), Kialie Wise (two aces, three kills, 30 digs), Rylee Morrison (two aces, one kill, 21 digs), Pavwoski (one ace, 13 kills, 10 blocks, 8 digs), Katie Dreychan (two kills, five blocks, one dig) and Shania Paul (12 digs).
The Comets (8-26-2) were led by Abby Hicks (15 kills, one ace, 10 assists, 19 digs), Abby Martini (six kills, three digs), Abby Rousseau (one ace, 14 digs), Cielle Fort (eight kills, four aces, seven digs), Kally Sluiter (four kills, three aces, 16 digs), Lia Kiessel (11 digs), Molly Rousseau (one kill, four aces, 24 assists, three digs) and Sophya Sluiter (five kills, five aces, 11 digs).
DIVISION 4
Forest Area falls to Marion in 5
Forest Area took district host Marion to five sets before the Eagles were able to pull out a narrow win.
Marion won the match 23-25, 25-19, 20-25, 26-24, 10-15 to move on to Wednesday’s semifinal against McBain Northern Michigan Christian at 7 p.m., following a matchup between Buckley and Mesick at 5 p.m.
Forest Area (4-23) was led in the game by Leah Durfee (11 kills, 18 assists, 5 aces), Shea Bolin (11 digs, 3 kills, 3 aces), Maddy Shier (21 digs, 13 kills, 10 assists, 4 aces) and Jayden Werb (21 digs).
Harbor Light 3
Wolverine 0
Harbor Light def. Wolverine 25-5, 25-8, 25-9.
UP NEXT: Harbor Light (16-14-1) hosts Pellston for a district semifinal Wednesday.
Central Lake 3
Alba 1
The Trojans def. the Wildcats 25-10, 25-20, 19-25, 25-14.
UP NEXT: The Trojans (8-18) take on Gaylord St. Mary in a district semifinal Wednesday. The Wildcats end their season at 2-10.
Boyne Falls 3
Ellsworth 0
The Loggers def. the Lancers 27-15, 25-13, 25-13.
UP NEXT: The Loggers (9-13) take on Bellaire in they Gaylord St. Mary district Wednesday. The Lancers end their season at 2-20-1.
DIVISION 1
Gaylord 3
Marquette 2
The Blue Devils def. Marquette 19-25, 25-8, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12.
UP NEXT: Gaylord (23-13-3) takes on either Petoskey or Alpena for a district championship Thursday.
DIVISION 2
Cheboygan 3
Kalkaska 0
Cheboygan def. the Blazers 25-14, 25-16, 25-16.
UP NEXT: Kalkaska ends its season at 5-20-3.
Sault Area 3
Grayling 0
The Blue Devils def. the Vikings 25-5, 25-15, 25-14.
UP NEXT: Grayling ends its season at 8-17-3.
DIVISION 3
Charlevoix 3
East Jordan 2
The Rayders def. the Red Devils 18-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-21, 15-8.
UP NEXT: Charlevoix (8-24-4) battles Harbor Springs in the district semifinals at Johannesburg-Lewiston on Wednesday. East Jordan ends its season at 14-12-4.
Mancelona 3
Benzie Central 0
Mancelona def. the Huskies 25-22, 25-18, 25-11.
UP NEXT: Mancelona (6-20-2) travels to Elk Rapids for a district semifinal Wednesday. The Huskies end their season at 1-30-1.
Evart 3
Lake City 2
Evart def. the Trojans 25-16, 19-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-12.
UP NEXT: Lake City ends its season at 10-27-1.
— Brendan Quealy contributed to this report