BATTLE CREEK - The Mid-State Conference volleyball tournament semifinals featured the top four seeds in the bracket in a showdown on Tuesday night, with strong performances by Norfolk Catholic and Pierce pushing them into the title game.

Norfolk Catholic, the #1 overall seed, faced Battle Creek, the #4 overall seed, to start the action on Tuesday night. 

The Knights game plan was strong, managing to move the ball around to different attackers across the floor. Sidonia Wattier was facilitating the offense as the team's leading passer while also tallying 7kills, 2 blocks and 2 aces.

Battle Creek rallied late in the second set, but Norfolk Catholic rode their momentum to a sweep (25-18, 26-24, 25-22).

Anslee Watters and Ava Wemhoff lead the Knights with 10 kills each. Kinsey Chandler was a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end with 6 blocks, plus 9 kills. Hayden Brummer added 8 kills.

For Battle Creek, Ryder Wehrle led all attackers with 15 kills, followed by Ali Korth and Marissa Hitz with 8 kills each.

#2 seeded GACC entered the semifinal match as winners of their last 10 matches, including a win over the #3 seeded Pierce Bluejays one week ago. In that match, Pierce led 2-0 before GACC reverse-swept the Bluejays for a stunning win.

Pierce played with fire in the rematch on Tuesday night, taking a lead early and not letting GACC rally for a 25-18 win.

Pierce continued to start strong and stave off any rallies by GACC into the second and third set, shutting down the Bluejay's offense for the sweep (25-18, 25-17, 25-16).

Nora Herian dominated in the Pierce win with 25 kills, 2 blocks and an ace. Abbie Cone complemented the 'Jays well with 13 kills and a pair of blocks.

In the loss for GACC, Bailey Gerths led the team with 12 kills and 3 blocks. Hailey Kreikemeier added 6 kills.

GACC and Battle Creek will face each other in the third place game on Thursday night, while Pierce searches for their fifth straight Mid-State tournament title. This is the first title appearance for Norfolk Catholic since they fell to Pierce back in 2022.