By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
With the Michigan High School Athletic Association tournaments rapidly approaching, not to mention Saturday's Big 16 Conference volleyball tournament, the Chieftains spikers and cagers are facing strong challenges.
The Dowagiac volleyball program wraps up the regular season tonight when it hosts Portage Northern in a Big 16 Conference crossover match.
The freshman and junior varsity squads will begin play at 6 p.m. with the varsity match to follow.
Dowagiac is coming off a four-game loss to Berrien Springs on Monday night, however, Chieftain first-year coach Teri Tucker feels her squad is headed in the right direction.
Dowagiac has been focusing on its defensive effort the past few weeks and is now ready to start concentrating on its offense according to Tucker.
On Saturday the Chieftains travel to Portage Northern High School for the Big 16 Conference Tournament.
The exact seeding of the tournament will not be known until after tonight's crossover matches are complete.
The tournament will feature all 16 schools and will play out all 16 places. Each team is guaranteed four games.
See Friday's Daily News for more information about the league tournament.
The Chieftain basketball team hasn't played since Friday night's 50-40 victory over Sturgis.
Dowagiac at 6-12 will be traveling to Benton Harbor Friday night to take on the Tigers, who had their 11-game winning streak snapped by No. 2 ranked Marshall Tuesday night, 78-64.
Dowagiac will wrap up the regular season on March 5, a week from Friday, when it travels back to Battle Creek Harper Creek for its Big 16 crossover contest.
The Chieftains posted a 68-51 non-divisional win over Harper Creek back on Jan. 23.