It will be a busy weekend for the Niles volleyball team, which opens the season with a pair of tournaments.

The Vikings will compete in the Gull Lake Blue Devil Invitational today and then head to Bronson for an invitational Saturday.

“We are focused, positive and excited heading into back-to-back tournaments,” Niles coach Jenny Nate said. “My team has been living in the gym preparing for this season, working on their physical skill, conditioning, mental toughness and team chemistry.”

The Vikings will be without starter Megan Kohler who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and a foot injury that required stitches.

“It has forced all of the girls to come together and be ready to shift positions and fill that spot,” Nate said. “My girls are smart and aggressive and are focusing on intelligent play and knowing how to score points.

“We are focusing on one set, one match and one day at a time. They know in order to achieve our larger goals we first have to go after our small goals. We are ready.”

Niles will be in Bracket B at the Gull Lake tournament along with Battle Creek Lakeview, Comstock and Three Rivers.

Bracket A consists of Vicksburg, Lakeshore, South Haven and Delton-Kellogg, while Bracket C consists of Hamilton, Gull Lake and Schoolcraft.

Bracket play is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.

Niles will take on Three Rivers in the opening match. Lakeview and Comstock will play at 9:30 a.m. with the winners squaring off at 10:30 a.m. and the losers of the first match playing at 11:30 a.m.

The second round will consist of challenge matches or Silver Pool play.

The Silver Pool will be made up of the fourth place teams in brackets A and B, along with the third place team in Bracket C.

The second round is scheduled to begin at 12:30.

The third round Gold Bracket matches are slated to get under way at 2:30 p.m. with the semifinals at 4:30 p.m. and the finals at 5:30 p.m.

The Vikings reached the semifinals last year before being eliminated by arch rival Lakeshore.

Admission is $5 per person and concessions will be available.

 

Bronson Invitational

Niles will be one of five teams competing in the Bronson Invitational Saturday.

The first phase of the tournament will consist of round robin play between the Vikings and host Bronson, Centreville, Homer and North Adams.

Niles will face Centreville in its first match at 8:30 a.m. before facing Homer in its second match, Bronson and then North Adams.

The teams will be seeded based on their records for the single elimination portion of the tournament.

The Vikings reached the championship match last year and dropped a straight set decision to Bronson.

Admission is $5 per person and concessions will be available.