BATTLE CREEK — There are some coaches who like to pad their records with weaker early season opponents. It may help their team build confidence, but in the end, it may not help them prepare for conference and postseason play.

At Niles, veteran coach Jenny Nate likes to load up her schedule with plenty of tough opponents, not only in the early portion of the year, but throughout its entire schedule.

She believes that in the end, facing tough competition gets her team ready for a strong SMAC West Division schedule and the Class B state tournament, which has seen the Vikings find success of late, including a run to the state quarterfinals in 2017.

So, it should come as no surprise that the Vikings competed in the Cereal City Invitational in Battle Creek on Saturday against a field loaded with ranked opponents.

Niles went 3-1 on the day despite having to make a last-minute change in its lineup due to losing Taylor Bailey to illness.

“I am so proud of this team today,” Nate said. “Despite a critical lineup change at the last minute, every single player on this team came together and played with fire and hustle. They gave a total effort, took care of each other, and fought their hardest until the final point of the day. Days like this will make us stronger as a team.”

Nate was also happy with how her seniors responded.

“Our senior leaders had to step up, and many of our new sophomores and a freshman had to also fill big shoes,” she said. “They did a phenomenal job, and I can’t wait to see them keep getting stronger moving forward.”

Niles (13-8-2) opened up the tournament with a win over Thornapple-Kellogg, a Division 1 school, 25-18 and 25-12. Next up was another Division 1 team in Battle Creek Harper Creek, which the Vikings defeated 25-12 and 25-10.

After starting out 2-0, Niles faced the defending Division 4 state champions in Mendon. The Hornets put up quite a fight before falling to the Vikings 25-21 and 26-24, sending the Vikings into the Gold Bracket.

It was there that the third and final Division 1 team Niles faced on the day was the only one to get the best of it as Battle Creek Lakeview, the host school for the tournament, won 25-20 and 25-13.

“Despite starting the morning in the highly competitive Cereal City 20-team power tourney at Lakeview, loaded with ranked teams, playing without our veteran outside hitter, Taylor Bailey, we came out with fire as a team and played big,” Nate said.

Niles was back on the court Monday night as it hosted South Bend St. Joseph in a non-conference match. On Wednesday, the Vikings open up SMAC West Division play on the road at Lakeshore. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.