By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
OTSEGO—An early season battle of state-ranked volleyball squads took place in Otsego on Monday, Aug. 21.
And it was the host Bulldogs who prevailed over visiting Hamilton by a score of 25-14, 19-25, 25-16, 25-15.
Otsego entered the match ranked 10th in Division 2, while the Hawkeyes were an honorable mention.
Three Bulldogs amassed double digits in kills, led by 12 from Bella McCamman. She also had 17 digs.
Olivia Dennis and Brooke Smalldon added 10 kills each. Smalldon added 10 digs, while Aly Aldrich finished with 20 assists.
For Hamilton, Emma O’Connor racked up 10 kills and Hannah Glupker went for 19 digs. Joelle Boeskool had 33 assists, five kills and two aces.
The win over Hamilton continued a strong start to the season for the Bulldogs, who took top honors at the season-opening Coopersville Invitational on Friday, Aug. 18.
Otsego beat Holland Christian in the finals after posting victories against Whitehall, Montague and Coopersville.
Hamilton, meanwhile, also won its first tournament as the Hawkeyes went 4-1-1 at the Gull Lake Invitational on Friday, Aug. 18.
Wins for Hamilton came over Grand Rapids Union (25-5, 25-6), Edwardsburg (25-22, 25-18), Gull Lake (21-25, 25-22, 15-5 in the semis) and Three Rivers (21-25, 25-17, 15-11 in the finals).
Ally Kragt led the way with 45 kills, followed by Kaitlyn Geurink with 32 kills to go with 15 blocks. Klupker served up 14 aces.