An epic battle took place at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek Friday. The Calumet Copper Kings took the fourth-ranked Kalamazoo Christian Comets to five sets, but ended up four points shy of a state-final appearance.

The favored Comets had their hands full with the scrappy Copper Kings.

“We were underdogs according to the rankings, but we have been under-ranked all season,” said Calumet coach Kate Bonacorsi. “We knew that we were going to compete in that match, and we put ourselves in a position to have a chance to win.”

Calumet won the first two sets, 25-16 and 25-21.

“Our game plan was to try to keep them out of system,” said Bonacorsi. “We served very well in the first set and were finding ways to score.”

The Comets caught fire and won the final three sets; 25-21, 25-18, and 15-11.

“In the later sets, Kalamazoo Christian was able to get the ball in system, and then it was very hard for us to stop their middle hitter,” Bonacorsi explained.

The Copper Kings had a very successful season. They finished with a 30-7 record. Six losses came in tournaments, and the seventh was the semifinal match. Calumet was undefeated in conference play; they did not even drop a set.

The fans and their head coach appreciated the Copper Kings’ valiant effort.

“I’m incredibly proud of them,” said Bonacorsi. “They have grown so much throughout the season, and have invested so much mentally, physically, and emotionally into this team, our season, and our program,” she said. “They have represented themselves and our team so well all season, which is just as important. I am so thankful to have been able to coach this amazing group of young women.”

Calumet jumped to a 4-1 lead to start the game and then won five of the next seven serves to grab control early, 9-3. After some back-and-forth play, the Copper Kings were up 12-6. Kalamazoo scored eight to Calumet’s three over 11 rallies to make it an 18-14 game. The Copper Kings went on a small run to get their total to 21. They finished the set six serves later.

The second set was 5-5 until the Copper Kings went on a stretch of five for a 10-5 advantage. The Comets roared back to tie it, 10-10. Each squad had 15; then a 5-2 Kalamazoo run put them ahead 20-17. Calumet bounced back to make it 21-20. Four out of the following five points went in the Copper Kings’ favor, they took the set.

The Copper Kings had command of the game, entering the third set with a 2-0 lead.

Like the second, the teams had five points in the first ten rallies. The third set was equal at 9-9 before the Comets stole seven of nine to snatch a 16-11 lead. Kalamazoo held Calumet at bay and stayed alive thanks to a third-set victory.

Intending to avoid a fifth set, Calumet started hot in the fourth, taking a quick 7-2 lead. The Comets did not take long to tie the game 7-7. Kalamazoo outscored the Copper Kings 9-1 to make it 16-9. The Comets’ dominance continued with a large 8-4 run leaving them one point to send it to the fifth set. There was not much of a comeback, and Kalamazoo won the set.

Being on the brink of elimination and coming back to tie the game 2-2 gave the Comets the momentum going into the fifth set. Kalamazoo held the lead for most of the fifth. However, Calumet came within one point twice. The Copper Kings did not have the answer, and they fell 15-11 in the set and 3-2 in the game.

The Calumet volleyball program has been successful in the past, and it seems to be growing each year. Their run to the state semifinals has increased the community’s interest in Copper King volleyball.

“It continues our tradition of success in Calumet volleyball,” said Bonacorsi. “I think there are a lot of girls excited to join or continue to be part of this program. It’s so fun to see the younger sisters and girls who look up to these players; the varsity girls are great role models.

“We are so thankful for the support we got from everyone at home. After the McBain win, I got on the bus and had 83 text messages.”

We’ve all been getting pictures and messages all week, and lots of people were able to make the trip to Battle Creek,” she said. “It was emotional to look across the court and see them all cheering the girls on at Kellogg. This season has meant a lot to all of us.”