MUSKEGON — The Whitehall Vikings appeared to have a shot at the GMAA volleyball championship after eliminating Fruitport, winner of 11 of the previous 12 city titles, in the semifinals last Saturday. However, the Vikings were unable to counter a strong Mona Shores team in the finals.

Whitehall dropped a three-game match to the Sailors in the finals, 25-20, 25-13, 25-12, relinquishing the title to Mona Shores.

The Vikings had won all five previous matches on the day, including pool-play victories over Holton, Reeths-Puffer and the host Muskegon Big Reds. All were quick two-game wins.

Whitehall also dispatched Holton and Fruitport in bracket play before ultimately falling to the Sailors.

Montague won a match, tied a match, and lost two at the GMAA tournament. The Wildcats opened with a win over Muskegon and split a tight match with Holton, but lost to Fruitport twice to end the afternoon.

Madison Aebig had a great day at the service line, delivering eight aces. Kirsten Gjertsen added six on the day.

Karlee Koetje had 18 kills and 14 blocks to lead Montague in both categories, while Sarah Harrie had 10 kills and six blocks. Autumn Monette contributed 33 assists and Paige Pineda had 19 digs.

Reeths-Puffer had a rough afternoon at the GMAA tournament, going winless. The Rockets were, however, able to split two-game matches with Orchard View and North Muskegon in addition to their loss to Whitehall.

The Rockets received a balanced defensive effort on the day. Kori Ames led the Rockets with 35 digs, while teammates Kate Uganski and Madi Trautner each posted 20 digs. Danielle Casey added 19. Casey also had 20 assists and eight kills.

Carrie Wilson led the Rockets in kills with 10, and also had 13 digs.

Vikes sweep Spring Lake Quad

SPRING LAKE — Whitehall breezed past its competition at Tuesday night’s Spring Lake Quad, even playing without its Miss Volleyball candidate, Hope Rillema, who has been out with an illness.

The Vikings swept Ludington, Oakridge and Spring Lake in two games each.

Alyssa Myers had 48 assists on the afternoon setting plays up for teammates. Autumn Christenson posted a team-high 18 kills, while Jenna Pesch had 20 digs. Megan Stout’s nine aces paced Whitehall.

Bailey Seeger and Bronte Michura each added nine kills for the Vikings. Jane Kuipers had six blocks.

Montague 1-2 at Fremont Quad

FREMONT — Montague was able to come up with one victory Tuesday evening at the Fremont Quad, defeating the Hart Pirates in a close three-game match, 26-24, 15-25, 15-11.

The Wildcats have beaten Hart in several close matches this year, and Tuesday was no different. The Wildcats erased an 18-10 game-one deficit en route to the victory.

Montague also lost two-game matches to Fremont and Grant.

Sarah Harrie and Karlee Koetje each posted 14 kills to lead Montague, while Paige Pineda had 14 digs. Autumn Monette had a strong evening, delivering 35 assists.

Wildcats split Holton Tri

HOLTON — The Montague Wildcats split their final regular-season test of the season with Thursday evening’s Holton Tri.

Montague earned a two-game sweep of Muskegon Heights while dropping a tight three-gamer to Holton.

Leading the way offensively for Montague were their usual forces, Karlee Koetje and Sarah Harrie. Koetje led in blocks and kills with four and nine respectively, while Harrie added three blocks and eight kills.

Paige Pineda contributed a team-leading 17 digs, while Chase Mickelson served up seven aces to go with 11 kills.

Autumn Monette also had a strong outing, posting 32 assists and five aces.

Montague and Whitehall both competed at Saturday’s West Michigan Conference tournament at Shelby after the Beacon went to press.

Rockets blank Union

GRAND RAPIDS — The Reeths-Puffer Rockets dispatched Union for the second time this season Tuesday night in an O-K Black conference match, 25-12, 25-22, 25-17.

Playing with a retooled lineup, the Rockets went to many sources for their points, especially on defense. Shelbi Adams had a team-high 17 digs. Sierra Young and Kori Ames each had 12 digs, and Danielle Casey had 10.

Kate Uganski’s seven kills led the Rockets, as did Casey’s eight assists and Young’s three blocks.

R-P splits home tri

MUSKEGON — The Reeths-Puffer Rockets split a home tri Thursday night, beating the Muskegon Big Reds and falling to Mona Shores in three straight games.

The Rockets got some strong individual performances Thursday evening, especially from Danielle Casey, who filled up the stat sheet. Casey led the Rockets in assists (17) and kills (eight) and was also second on the team in digs with 18. Casey added four aces and two blocks.

Kori Ames posted a team-best 22 digs and 14 aces. Kate Uganski had 16 assists and 16 digs, while Shelbi Adams notched seven kills and nine digs.

Reeths-Puffer faces Grand Haven Monday in a pre-district showdown. The Rockets will enter the match 7-24-1 on the season.