Progress has been incremental for the young Fruitport volleyball team as it battles its way through the tough O-K Blue conference, but it’s definitely starting to show.

The Trojans gave two good conference opponents a fight in their last two matches, which tells Coach Nicole Bayle that they are about ready for next week’s districts.

Last Thursday Fruitport fell in three sets to Grand Rapids West Catholic, but every set was a battle. The Trojans lost by scores of 25-22, 25-21, 25-22.

On Tuesday they performed even better against Holland Christian, the top team in the conference, falling in four tough sets.

Fruitport lost the first two sets 25-22 and 25-16, stayed alive by winning the third 25-23, then battled into overtime before dropping the last set 28-26.

Sadie Haase led both the offense and defense against Holland Christian with 16 kills and 19 digs. Gracelynn Olson had 29 assists.

Olson served up four aces while Haase and Tara Sweet each had three.

Lauren Riedel and Emma Fecher had 13 and 12 digs, respectively. Emma Danicek had four blocks and Ellis Stroup added two.

Coach Bayle called Tuesday’s performance the Trojans’ “best match of the season.”

“I was very proud of the way the girls fought tonight,” she said. “It was our Trojan Strong game, a very emotional game, and the girls came out and played tough with a really great energy.

“I am feeling very positive about how we played headed into districts. These girls seem to have gotten over the hump and are really working together at the right time!”