Calumet Volleyball Falls in State Semis – Saturday Sports Wrap

Click on the highlighted scores for more game details.

High School

The Calumet High School volleyball team’s tournament run ended with a heartbreaking 3-2 (25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 18-25, 11-15) loss to Kalamazoo Christian High School yesterday afternoon in a Division Three state tournament semifinal game at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. The Copper Kings took the first set easily, pulling out to an 18-8 lead, and holding off a late Comets run. Christian found their footing in the second set, and led 20-17 before a six-serve run by Kaylie Halonen put the Kings back in command. The Comets won a tight third set. Calumet opened a 7-2 lead in the fourth, but Christian scored 20 of the next 24 points to open an insurmountable lead. After Christian took a 7-2 lead in the fifth set, the Copper Kings fought back, but couldn’t overcome the deficit.

The Comets will face Pewamo-Westphalia the Division Three championship game today.

In the other state title matches, Athens will play Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in Division Four. In division Two, North Branch will face Cadillac. In Division One, Bloomfield Hills Marian will take on Northville.

The eight-player state high school football championship games will be played today at the Superior Dome.
• In Division One, Martin will take on Merrill at 11:00.
• In Division Two, North Central will play Mendon at 2:00.

In 11-player semifinals involving U.P. teams today…
• In Division Eight, Iron Mountain faces Ubly at Petoskey High School.
• In Division Six, Negaunee takes on Reed City at Gaylord High School.

The local high school hockey season opened last night.
• Houghton blanked Escanaba 8-0 in a game that ended after two periods because of the mercy rule. The Gremlins outshot the Eskymoes 34-12. Troy Povich earned the shutout in net. Mike Maillette, Gab Carlson and Landon Stevens each scored twice. Maillette added two assists.
• Hancock fell to Alpena 5-3.
• Jeffers v Cheboygan – no report.

Today…
• Hancock skates at Manistique.

Negaunee and Iron Mountain were named as the Large School and Small School Football Teams of the Year yesterday by the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters. No local players were placed on the Dream Team. Calumet guard Travis Hyrkas and Houghton receiver Gab Carlson were placed on the First Team offense. L’Anse tackle Javon Shelifoe, Calumet end Levi Kilpela and Calumet back Aksel Loukus were named to the First Team Defense.

College Basketball

The Michigan Tech men’s team got past Minnesota-Crookston 76-72 last evening. Adam Hobson led the Huskies with 19 points. Pete Calcaterra added a career-best 16.

The Tech women’s team will play at Minnesota-Crookston today.

The Northern men’s team outlasted Concordia-St. Paul 90-86 in overtime last night.

The Wildcats women’s team plays at Southwest Minnesota State today.

At the Hope College tournament in Holland, the Finlandia women’s team fell to the host Flying Dutch 92-40. Natalie Bartle scored 24. The Lions will play Denison University in the consolation match this afternoon.

The Finlandia men’s team lost 92-75 at Crown College last night. Devin Scheible led a balanced attack with 13 points. The Lions will play at Martin Luther College today.

College Hockey

The Michigan Tech hockey team scored four third-period goals, and buried St. Thomas 6-2 last night. Kyle Kukkonen found the net twice. Blake Pietila made 25 saves. The Huskies skate at St. Thomas again tonight.

Northern stunned 8th-ranked Minnesota State 3-2 in overtime last evening. Those teams meet in Mankato again tonight.

Both Finlandia hockey teams lost at St. Norbert last night – the men 7-0, and the women 6-0. The men were outshot 42-9, and the women 58-3. Both of those series conclude today.

NHL

The Red Wings visit the Blue Jackets tonight. Coverage will begin at 6:45 on 99.3 The Lift.

NBA

The Pistons dropped their sixth straight game last night, 128-121 to the Lakers. Alec Burks came off the bench to lead Detroit with 23 points.

The Pistons visit the Kings tomorrow evening.

NFL

Tomorrow…
• The Lions visit the Giants for a 1:00 game on 99.3 The Lift.

MLB

The expected revamp of the Detroit Tigers roster hit full speed yesterday. The team did not extend arbitration offers to Jeimer Candelario, Harold Castro and Willi Castro, making them free agents. The team agreed to one-year contracts with pitcher Jason Alexander and outfielder Austin Meadows.

The Brewers said goodbye to longtime reliver Brent Suter, who was claimed off waivers by the Rockies. Pitchers Adrian Houser and Matt Bush signed one-year contracts with Milwaukee.

Upcoming local sports broadcasts:

• Tuesday – Houghton hockey plays at Marquette. Coverage begins at 5:40 on the Voice of the Gremlins, 97.7 The Wolf.

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