For two straight years, Kelsey Wick had the privilege of competing in the Class C semifinals as part of the Suttons Bay volleyball team.

Wick said she was looking forward to making a third consecutive trip to the semis today, and perhaps getting past that obstacle and into the state finals. Iron Mountain, however, ended the Norsemen’s season Tuesday night. Wick, the only senior on Suttons Bay’s 52-13-2 team, will miss the time spent with her teammates.

“I went to four camps this summer, played beach ball, we spent a lot of time together over the year and now that is over. I’m really going to miss it,” she said.

Wick and junior Charlotte Stowe each said the most memorable match for them this season was the finals of the Glen Lake tournament when they beat Leland.

“That was like the first time in four years that we beat Leland. That was an awesome win,” Wick said.

“Yeah, beating Leland, that was definitely a high point,” Stowe said.

Coach Mike Kelly said losing Wick, in addition to foreign exchange students Jenny Mahla and Heidy Esquinca, will be difficult. “We’re seeing three really good players walk out the door. Replacing Kelsey’s leadership on the floor during a match will be a challenge,” he said.

But, the Norse has experience coming back next season, including juniors Anna Pryor, Stowe, Arianna Guillen, Fran Belanger, Christa Nesky and sophomores Maggie Walters and Crystal Dittrich. “We have a good crew returning, a lot to look forward to,” Kelly said.

Glen Lake and Northport volleyball teams’ seasons ended in District play two weeks ago. The Lakers lose seniors Amanda Mikowski, Sam Rader, Tara Novak and Hayley Blough.

Coach Sue Flowers returned to the helm this season and is looking forward to continuing the task of rebuilding the Laker program.

“We have some good players returning and everyone will be working toward getting better, including me,” she said.

The Wildcats also had a new coach this season, Dave Capron of Suttons Bay. He said while Northport lost more games then it won, the team improved each day in practice and in matches.

“We had a lot of games and matches were we lost by two points or less. The girls really showed a lot of heart and determination in practice and in the games,” he said.

Capron loses five seniors: Lauren Browning, Katie Drummond, Cecilia Kohler, Michelle Paquette and Krista Young. “I would have liked to have at least one more season with the seniors. They are a great group of students and athletes, we’ll miss them,” he said.

Returning next season for the Port are juniors Sophia Mosher, Betsy Shiner, Octavia Buss and sophomore Shauna Sitarek, as well as a talent junior varsity squad. “We are only going to get better,” Capron said.