Bath volleyball made school history on Thursday, November 12, capturing their first regional championship by sweeping Leslie in straight sets. It was a moment coach Madison Margraves-Beukema described as “almost indescribable” because it completed the final item on their season-long goal list, a moment years in the making.
From Checklist to Championship: An Emotional Victory
That regional championship wasn’t just a win, it was the final checkmark on a goal list that’s been staring Olivia Brimley and the Bath squad down from their locker room door all season. Every single time they left, those goals were right there, a constant reminder of what they were chasing. And on Thursday, November 12, they finally got it done. This was the one goal left, and they didn’t just win, they swept Leslie in straight sets, locking up their first ever regional title for the school. Seriously, their coach Madison Margraves-Beukema was nearly in tears, saying it was “almost indescribable” and that this historic win had “never been done before at our school.” You know that feeling when something you’ve worked so hard for actually happens? That’s what this was.
Player Olivia Brimley, who’s been in the program for three years, knows this journey well. She said, “It just means so much. We’ve just been working really hard every year with last year winning districts and falling short in regionals. Now just to be able to complete it , that means so much. This team is so special to me.” It’s clear this win wasn’t just for this season, it was for all the grinding, all the close calls, and every bit of effort put in over the years.
Digging Deep: How They Refused to Lose a Set
Let’s talk about how they pulled this off, because it wasn’t just a walk in the park. This team, honorable mention ranked in the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association Division 3 poll, has been on an absolute tear in the playoffs, and get this: they haven’t dropped a single set! That’s right, zero sets lost on their way to this regional championship. That’s insane when you think about it.
They faced some serious heat, too. In the second set against Leslie, they were down 21-19. What did they do? Called a timeout, regrouped, and then went on a six-point run to close out the set, winning 25-21. Clutch! And in the third set, it was a nail-biter, tied at 23. But Bath scored the final two points to seal the deal and claim the title with a 25-23 finish, completing the sweep. Olivia Brimley summed it up perfectly, “It’s so amazing. I’m so proud of us for being able to have the perseverance to even in those tight games get through and finish. It’s crazy. I feel like it’s not a very common thing to not drop a set at all.” That’s the kind of grit you love to see! Plus, they already snagged CMAC regular season and tournament titles this year, so they’re used to winning.
What’s Next for the Bees?
So, what’s next for the Bees after making school history? The season isn’t over, not by a long shot! They’re set to face the No. 2-ranked Saginaw Valley Lutheran in a state quarterfinal on Tuesday, November 17, at Mott Community College. Coach Margraves-Beukema is keeping it real, saying, “Honestly we’re just so happy we get to move on to the next day on Tuesday.” They’ve already checked off all their major goals, but you know this squad, they’re not done. They want to keep this historic run going all the way to the state finals at Kellogg Arena. You bet we’ll be watching to see if they can pull off another historic win!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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