MUSKEGON TOWNSHIP – When you look at the Grand Haven volleyball team’s record this season, it seems like this could be the year that the Bucs’ 14-year streak of district championships might come to an end.

The Buccaneers, a traditional power, finished the regular season with an uncharacteristic 15-32 overall record, with a 2-12 mark and seventh place finish in the O-K Red conference standings.

But the record doesn’t tell the whole story.

Grand Haven played one of the toughest schedules in school history, going toe-to-toe and winning some sets against state powers such like Farmington Hills Mercy, Rockford, and Lake Orion.

The Buccaneers have also improved over the last two weeks, defeating both Caledonia and Jenison after losing to those teams earlier in the season.

All of that experience and progress showed through on Monday night, when the Bucs opened their bid for a 15^th straight district title with a 3-0 victory over Reeths-Puffer at Mona Shores High School.

Grand Haven won by scores of 25-23, 25-18 and 25-15 to advance to the district semifinals. The Bucs will face Coopersville on Wednesday, with the winner earning a berth in Thursday’s district finals.

“This team hasn’t had the success that previous teams have had, but they know what is at stake,” said Grand Haven Coach Aaron Smaka. “For a lot of these kids, it’s their first district experience, so they need to get settled in. Our team got better tonight at the end of each set.

“We picked a great year to play the toughest schedule in school history. You always have the fear of losing the streak, but this team is battle tested.”

The Bucs trailed 6-0, 9-2, 13-6 and 20-14 during the first set against Reeths-Puffer, but rallied and won with a 9-3 run that was sparked by a long service run by Taylor Smaka and strong play in front of the net by Kam Burbridge.

Grand Haven also started off slow in the second set, trailing 4-1, 8-5 and 11-7 early on. But the Bucs went on a 14-4 run to erase the deficit and to take a 21-15 lead.

They closed out the set by scoring four of the last seven points.

The third set was close throughout, with nine early ties and an 11-11 score at midpoint. Grand Haven then went on a 9-2 run to take a 20-11 lead on service runs from Kaitlyn Wilkie and Smaka.

The Bucs closed out the set and match by scoring five of the last nine points.

Paige Redder and Izzy Whittaker paced Grand Haven with 14 and 11 kills, respectively, while Grace Montgomery served up 32 assists and Wilkie added three aces.

Mia Swierbut led the Bucs defensively with 13 digs.

“There is a dose of excitement, but there is also a dose of reality,” said Reeths-Puffer Coach Justin Birr, whose team finished the season with a 22-20 record. “Grand Haven volleyball is going to turn it on, and the close first sets we’ve had this season have not gone our way.”

The Rockets were led by Brianna Stawski with 11 kills, seven digs and three blocks, while Sophia Hekkema added six kills, 14 digs and three aces. Leah Ellis chipped in with six kills and 13 digs.