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Forest Park Volleyball coach, Bobbie Jo Anderson giving her team a pep talk.
By Patrick Browne
Manistique - On Nov. 14, shortly after 2 p.m. and after a rousing send off by the entire Forest Park Community, the Lady Trojans boarded a bus to Manistique. The Trojans had a quarterfinal matchup against Newberry with the winner earning a place in the state semifinals in Battle Creek.
The Trojans, who had won the Regional 25 Championship, were pitted against the Newberry Indians (15-4), who had earned the right to compete in the quarterfinals by winning Regional 26. With eight teams remaining in the march to the state championship, no easy games remained on the schedule for either team.
When the Trojan fan bus arrived in Manistique the fans staked their territory by hanging signs of support around the gymnasium, the Lady Trojans took the floor and the fans collectively held their breath unsure of how the two teams would match up.
The first set was business as usual for the Trojans who initially lost two of the first three points, but then went on a twelve point run and never looked back, winning 25-13. The second set saw Newberry settle into their game and the Trojans were never able to get a foothold, eventually losing 25-19.
With the match locked at one set apiece, the third set was critical for both teams as the winner would be one step from the semi-finals. The Trojans were strong from the start, but Newberry was unwilling to yield the court. Forest Park took the first two points, Newberry countered with the next two and thus the pattern for the set was established. Forest Park 15-Newberry 10, Forest Park 18-Newberry 14, Forest Park 23-Newberry 18. Newberry dogged the Trojans, but the Trojans would not succumb. The set ended Forest Park 25-20 and, as with so many games this season, once the momentum swung to the Trojans their opponent could not recover. Set four went to Forest Park 25-15 and the Trojans were headed to the State Semi-Finals!
An exuberant Coach Bobbie Jo Anderson could not have been more excited. “I’m extremely proud of our team! These girls have worked hard all year and it is paying off.”
The victory was truly a team effort with sophomore Elsie Williams having what could easily be described as her best game of the season. Her 10 kills, 21 assists and 11 digs were accompanied by a contagious excitement which set up shots for a cadre of teammates who did not falter under the stress of the competition. Ema Stepien had 14 kills, 13 digs, and an ace, Charlie Larson had two kills, an amazing 27 assists, 12 digs, and three aces, and Leah Feldhausen had an impressive 13 kills.
Coach Anderson was appreciative after the game even as she prepared her team for the nine hour bus ride downstate. “Our fan support has been amazing. Thank you to all the parents, family members, students and staff that have traveled with us and cheered us on. We appreciate your support.”
On Friday, Nov. 17 the Forest Park Trojans took the court at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek to compete in the Semifinals against the Leland Comets (40-16-2). The State Finals are slated for Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. Results not available at Reporter’s Deadline.