By DOUG DONNELLY

ADRIAN – Whiteford’s volleyball team captured its first tournament championship in years on Saturday, taking first place at the Adrian Tournament.

“We lost to Northwest in pool play, made some adjustments and won the rest,” Bobcat coach Janie Valdez said.

The Bobcats beat Northwest in the finals, 25-17, 25-12.

They beat Riverview Gabriel Richard 25-16, 15-14 in pool play, then again to start bracket play, 25-13, 25-9.

They also beat Adrian, 25-12, 25-21 and lost to Northwest (25-13, 25-18) in pool play. The got past Columbia Central 25-27, 25-16, 15-5 in the semifinals.

“It was a fun day,” Valdez said.

Bailey Spradling had 37 kills and 36 digs and seven aces. Addeson Cousino led Whiteford in setting with 68 assists, 23 digs and nine aces. Liv Ruehle had 92 digs on the day and 10 aces. Nina Bauman had six aces, 16 kills and four blocks.

“Our serve and serve receive was solid all day,” Valdez said.

Valdez also made a change in the lineup after pool play.

“We went from running two setters to just having one setter set all the way around,” she said. “It made a huge difference to have consistent sets, and our hitters and setter got in a rhythm. Things clicked when I made the line up switch after pool play.”