Playing their hearts out, and at a level that could spur them for the rest of the season, St. Henry (and Rya Buschur, celebrating match point, above) did something Thursday night that's rarely done in area volleyball.  They swept the defending champion New Bremen Cardinals in straight sets.

No one's made much of them, yet, but the Versailles Tigers (and Lauren Prenger, above) are quietly putting themselves in the conversation as being one of the area's big surprises in volleyball.

Motivated by the loss of teammate Cale Wenning, Coldwater rallied behind a big night from Baylen Blockberger, big plays from new faces, and the certain presence of their friend to shut out Valley View in the season opener.

Without regard for their back-to-back Division IV titles, New Bremen embarked on a challenging Division VI schedule Tuesday with a 3-set pounding over the visiting Russia Raiders.