The Ionia 9th Grade Volleyball Team opened up at home Thursday, August 22 against Okemos and county rival Lakewood.  Ionia came out strong against the Greyhounds but a late game 5 point run in game 1 and a 8 point run in game 2 proved too much for the Bulldogs to come back from.  The girls did a lot of things well tonight for their first game out but ended up falling to the Greyhounds 25-18, and 25-20.

Against the Vikings, Ionia and Lakewood went point for point in game one with a war of serve receive and then finally with some aggressive play at the net the Bulldogs were able to finish the Vikings 25-23.   In game 2 Lakewood came out strong and earned a quick lead of 4-1, but then Erin Steffen confidently walked behind the service line and earned quick two aces and put the ball in play 6 times changing the tide of the game.. The early 8-4 lead created a momentum the Vikings couldn't shake and the Bulldogs won the second game 25-12.   

Erin Steffen had three aces on the night, while Isabella Gallagher had 3.  Ella Bouwhuis had 7 digs and 13 accurate passes, and Kenadie McCoy contributed 2 digs and another 9 perfect passes. Gena Rogers was super aggressive across the net earning 3 kills, while Jordyn Ciganick, Isabella Gallagher, and Ava Bowen all had 2.  

The Freshmen Bulldogs will play Monday night in Thornapple Kellogg at 4:30. They are 1-1 on the 2024-2025 season.