BAY CITY, MI - A look at the high school sports scene in Bay County for Oct. 9, 2025. Bay County coaches are asked to submit results, highlights and comments the night of each event by emailing lthomps2@mlive.com.
VOLLEYBALL: WESTERN-CENTRAL GOES FIVE
Nothing about the matchup suggested a nail-biting thriller.
Except that it was Bay City Western vs. Bay City Central.
Central entered the clash winless in the Saginaw Valley League and had been swept by the Warriors just two weeks earlier. But the rivalry brought out the best in the Wolves this time around.
Central delivered perhaps its best performance of the season, turning the clash into a thrilling five-set battle. But it would be a good night for Western as well, as the Warriors stood tall for a 25-19, 23-25, 23-25, 25-6, 15-10 victory.
"We had to overcome adversity tonight and, although we didn't win, it was a showdown to the fifth set and I was over the moon with the way they each rose to the challenge," Central coach Christine Davila said.
The battle only underscored how even the Western-Central volleyball rivalry has been over the years. Since 2000, the series is even at 14-14 in Saginaw Valley League games.
Central, which has endured an 0-10 league slate, came to play in front of its home crowd. Edy Maciejewski led the Wolves with seven kills and 10 digs while Destiny McMurren added six kills and Serenity Apsey five. Brynn Corrion notched 20 assists and Isabelle Czuba came through with 18 digs.
Down to their last hopes in a 2-1 deficit to Frankenmuth, the Dukes reversed course for a stunning 25-21, 18-25, 18-25, 25-9, 15-9 victory in the key Tri-Valley Conference Red showdown.
"This was a gritty effort," Garber coach Kim Kokaly said. "We found a way to finish against a tough Frankenmuth team. Volleyball is a game of momentum and we definitely had it in Games 4 and 5."
Garber (27-9-2, 3-1) sits in a first-place tie with Freeland after the come-from-behind victory. Jeana Lenhard led the way with an 18-kill, seven-ace performance for the Dukes while Ella Kokaly tallied 15 digs and 30 assists.
Ava Wagner registered 21 digs, Shayler McIntyre nine kills and Olivia MacDonald six blocks as Garber won for the 10th time in 11 games.
SOCCER: DUKES HALT TOURNEY DROUGHT
Essexville Garber's strong finish to the regular season has carried over into the playoffs.
After enduring their share of struggles, the Dukes are now celebrating their first postseason win since 2020, a 7-0 victory over Clare in the Division 3 district opener.
"I am super proud of the boys for their strong effort and teamwork," first-year Garber coach Brent Betzold said. "I'm looking forward to our second-round battle and hoping the team can bring the same intensity to that match."
Garber travels to Standish-Sterling for the district semifinal at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The Dukes (6-12-1) have won four of their past five contests after a 2-11-1 start.
Mikel Collado led the Garber attack with three goals and an assist. Seth Betzold came through with two goals and an assist and Easton Jacobs also notched two goals. Trace Johnson delivered a pair of assists.
Keeper Robert Raushi registered five saves, getting powering defensive support from Avery Johnson, Fernando Espinoza, Tavish Mulholland and Eli Rivet.