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NILES — Fueled by home court fans, the Niles volleyball team brought home another district championship trophy Thursday night.

The Vikings defeated South Haven 25-19,23-25,25-12,25-22 to win the Division 2 District Championship, its first district title since 2021 and third overall.

Bree Lake had 15 kills and 13 digs, Nyla Hover 12 kills and 14 digs, Neriah Stevens 10 kills, Kendall Gerdes nine kills and three blocks and Maddie Zache 18 digs.

“I think our middles in the first couple games dominated, then it was taken over by the two outsides,” said Head Coach Vince Strefling. “They did a really nice job figuring them out. Defensively, they’re scrappy and we matched their scrappiness. It was fun volleyball to watch.”

Strefling was proud of the way his team prevailed following an emotional five-set win over rival Buchanan in the semifinals.

“We struggled in game one, I think that was nerves,” he said. “I think the Buchanan game took a lot out of us. I think we outperformed what I thought we would do. To get a win with a first year coaching staff changing everything is a good feeling.”

Strefling credits his team’s success to the rigorous schedule it played this season.

“That helped us and that was the whole purpose of it,” he said. “Just play as many hard teams as you possibly can to get ready for districts. I think they’re kind of used to playing against competition like that. They bend and they just don’t break.”

With a district championship trophy secured, the Vikings aim to keep their season alive next week when they face Harper Creek at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Battle Creek in regional play.

“We need to have four really good practices,” Strefling said. “We can travel with a big crowd and get up there. They’re a really good program, so we just have to be better.”