By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
DOWAGIAC -- For the second straight year Coloma defeated South Haven in the finals of the Dowagiac Invitational Volleyball Tournament.
The Comets defeated the Rams 15-5 and 15-10 on Saturday to take home the championship trophy.
The Comets reached the finals with a 16-14 and 15-2 win over Niles in the semifinals.
South Haven reached the finals by defeating Plainwell, 15-5 and 15-4.
The Vikings, who finished second in pool play, were led by junior Melissa Olsen with 25 kills, 13 blocks and seven digs. Sophomore Sarah Dreher added 22 kills, 10 digs, six aces and one block. Junior Amber Peters also helped out with 16 kills, 16 digs, three aces and one block.
Ashley Pingel tallied 15 digs and two aces while Ashton Parks had 12 digs, four blocks and three kills. Kaylee Bonner had 10 digs and three aces. Setter Sandy Molnar had 69 assists to go along with her four blocks, 13 digs and two aces.
Niles returns to action on Monday, Jan. 5, at home against Buchanan in a non-conference dual match.
The host Chieftains went 3-3 in pool play and did not advance to the championship round.
Dowagiac split with Coloma, lost twice to South Haven and then swept Benton Harbor.
Coloma went 5-1 to win the pool with South Haven finishing second at 4-2.
The Chieftains were led statistically by Brianne Reist with 10 kills, while Jennifer Pilot finished with three blocks.
Sarah Luthringer was credited with 22 setting assists, while Brittney Reist finished with 10 aces.
Michele Pilot and Luthringer had nine and seven digs respectively.
Dowagiac will return to action on Saturday when it competes in the Otsego Invitational.