The Varsity Volleyball team traveled to Comstock Park tonight for District Semi-Finals against Belding. The Bulldogs came out in the first set with consistent play to finish 25-19. In the second set Ionia lost a bit of momentum and after a back and forth set dropped it 23-25. After the break the Bulldogs came out with a renewed focus and drive jumping out to a big lead early on and never looking back as they closed the set out 25-12. In the fourth set it was Belding that got out to a quick lead. After a timeout at 10-19 Ionia pulled together as a team and behind strong service runs by Paislie Patterson and then Alexias Daugherty were able to tie it up. Tessa Lemke got the serve at 23-23 and dropped in a strong serve that got the Black Knights out of system and Ionia went up 24-23. Lemke's next serve dropped in for an ace and the match point. The Bulldogs move on to District Finals tomorrow against Forest Hills Eastern. 

The offensive effort was led tonight by Amaya Frias with 16 kills while Logan Thomas put down another 11 and Ireland Brown finished with 9. Grace Droste paced the offense with 27 assists while Alli Shaw put up 19 more. Behind the service line Patterson, Lemke, and Shaw all had 3 aces while Thomas dropped in 2. 

Defensively the Bulldogs were led by Paislie Patterson with 25 digs while Amaya Frias kept another 21 in play. At the net Lemke had 2 blocks and Droste added 1. 

Ionia is now 28-12-3 on the season and will play Forest Hills Eastern tomorrow at 6pm at Comstock Park. Thank you to everyone that came out to support the team tonight! Let's pack the stands again and get loud for these hardworking ladies! Great work Bulldogs!