Leland advanced to the finals of the Traverse City Central Volleyball Invitational Saturday, but the host Trojans prevailed, 25-12, 25-12.

Under first-year coach Angie Shinos, the Comets had a strong morning in pool play that included three wins. Leland beat St. Francis, 25-13, 25-22; lost to Traverse City Christian, 26-24, 25-15; lost to T-C Central, 25-8, 25-9; beat Glen Lake, 25-8, 25-12; and defeated Elk Rapids, 25-13, 25-14 to earn third place for the afternoon pool play.

Shinos is guiding Leland in its first season after Hall of Fame coach Laurie Glass left the helm.

Shinos said the Central tournament is always tough, and was even more challenging this year given the age of some of the Comet players.

“We had a lot of younger girls playing in their first varsity matches. Sometimes its difficult getting the more experienced players to fit in with the newer players,” she said.

Leland found its rhythm in the afternoon, beating Christian, 25-20, 25-23, before losing to the host Trojans in the finals.

“We did some things very well in the morning, but we were really lacking in passing and serving. I’m confident the team will get better as we get into the season,” Shinos said.

For the day Erica Breen had 33 kills, 29 digs, 5 blocks, 6 aces; Julianna Lisuk 14 kills, 6 blocks, 8 aces; Erin Sneed had 10 kills, 40 assists, 17 digs, 6 aces; Sara Roszel 10 kills, 5 blocks; Molly Harrison had 33 assists; and Haley VerSnyder had 36 digs.

Glen Lake did not have as good a day, losing all of its matches. The Lakers lost to Central, 25-11, 25-11; St. Francis, 27-25, 25-16; and T-C Christian, 25-6 , 25-21. Glen Lake did win one game against Elk Rapids, 25-21, but lost the match, 18-25, 8-15. Coach Sue Flowers said the Lakers were missing two varsity players so she brought up four junior varsity athletes, Sarah Popp, Kaleigh Pleva, Natalie Flowers and Casey Hawkins, to take up the slack. “They did play very well, but we ran into some tough competition,” Flowers said.

For the day Dani Frost had 7 kills, 7 digs, 4 blocks, 6 aces; Mandy Brown had 5 kills, 3 blocks, 5 aces; Rachelle Brzezinski had 3 kills, 13 digs, 5 aces; and Heather Flowers had 17 assists, 4 aces.