GLADWIN
Forty-four years in the making. Gladwin varsity volleyball won the Jack Pine conference title last Wednesday after hosting the season’s final conference quad against Meridian, Farwell, and Pinconning. It has been 44 years since the Flying G’s last conference title, last won in 1978 as Northeast Michigan Conference champions.
“It feels great. We have been working towards it for a long time,” coach Anthony Wetmore replied when asked about winning the Jack Pine conference title. Gladwin has hovered around the top of the conference for some time now, placing second and third every year but one since Wetmore took over reigns as coach. “It’s exciting to get over that hurdle and finally be there,” Wetmore continued.
“Winning conference has been a team goal for the past two years,” Delaney Reynolds said. Last season Gladwin fell just short of the conference title, losing to Beaverton. Reynolds and company were determined to not allow that to happen again this season. “Many hours were spent in the gym, as many as they would allow, all summer long,” Reynolds continued.
With Beaverton on their heels, Gladwin had no room to relax. The added pressure had little effect on the Flying G’s, winning all three of their matches.
Farwell gave Gladwin a struggle, nearly stealing a victory in upset. Gladwin escaped with a 25-20 win over the Eagles in the first set. The second set, however, painted a different tone.
Gladwin quickly took a 9-2 led, forcing the Eagles to burn a timeout. The timeout did very little to slow down the Flying G’s onslaught. Gladwin finished the second set blowing out the Eagles with a 25-11 victory.
Gladwin’s second match of the evening was against the Pinconning Spartans.
The Flying G’s made light work of the Spartans, easily winning the match two sets to none.
Gladwin took a commanding 7-0 led in the first set before the Spartans were able to score their first point. Serving was phenomenally during the set with several Flying G ladies recording five or more serves in a row. The final score for set one, 25-7.
Pinconning found a little more success in the second set scoring 11 points to Gladwin’s 25. The set featured Gladwin’s trademark patience setting up shots and attacking the holes, never succumbing to panic or frustration for a moment. The Flying G’s finished the night against Meridian, a fitting ending to the quad and the season. Gladwin’s only blemish in conference play came at the hand of the Meridian Mustangs.
A moment of redemption Gladwin gladly took.
“The first lost to Meridian was sort of a fluke, I think we kind of finished that debate tonight,” coach Wetmore stated after the game.
The Flying G’s waited over 30 minutes for Meridian to finish against Farwell.
The long wait impacted Gladwin slightly in the early moments of the first set as they looked to reestablish a rhythm. It wouldn’t take long, however, before Gladwin found themselves on a 7-0 run after a close 8-6 contest. Meridian would only score six more points, losing 25-12.
Gladwin jumped off to a 6-2 led in the match’s second set, looking primed for another blowout victory before Meridian strung together a 7-1 run. Meridian remained in the led, 11-13, until Gladwin emerged with 12 unanswered points.
Meridian never recovered, losing 25-18.
“Finally, after two years all our hard work has paid off,” Reynolds said, excitement escaping her. “I’m so excited to see where this team can go because we are not done yet,” Reynolds continued.
Delaney Reynolds, the team, and coach Wetmore expressed their gratitude for the support the community and students have shown along their journey to conference champions this year. Reynolds set new records for Gladwin in both season and career assists.
Erin Breault wrote her way into the record books as well, setting new season and career records in kills for Gladwin.
The last time Gladwin has won districts was 2018.
Their last regional title was in 1978, the same year the team won their last conference title. Could that be a sign of things to come?
Gladwin will travel to Clare tonight to compete in their first playoff game this season after receiving a bye for the first round. They will take on their conference rival Clare Pioneers for the District Semi Finals.