North Branch, Fruitport remain on collision course in Class-B

MONTROSE -- The Nouvel C.C. and Lapeer East volleyball teams took different routes to their regional semi-final victories, but all that mattered was the end result.

The Panthers dropped the first set against Ubly in their Class-C battle, but rebounded to win the next three sets and advance to the regional title game on Thursday.  Their opponent will be the Red Raiders of Marlette, who outlasted Valley Lutheran in a thrilling, five-set battle to reach the title game.  After splitting the first four sets, Marlette slipped past the Chargers by a 15-13 margin the tiebreaking set.

In Class-A, Lapeer East kept their dreams of a state title alive with a straight-sets victory over Midland Dow.  After winning the first two sets with relative ease, the Eagles were given a tremendous battle by the Chargers in the third set, finally prevailing by a 31-29 final.  East will now face Flushing in their regional title game, as the Raiders defeated former Big Nine foe Grand Blanc.

Here's a look at other scores of interest from regional semi-final action on Tuesday night:

Class-A:

Flushing 3, Grand Blanc 0

Class-B:

North Branch 3, Swan Valley 0

Mt. Morris 3, Frankenmuth 0

Fruitport 3, Hemlock 0

Class-C:

St. Louis 3, Morley-Stanwood 1

Class-D:

Deckerville 3, B.C. All Saints 0