Gaylord-area teams get a fresh start as volleyball districts begin

GAYLORD — One of the benefits of the MHSAA volleyball playoffs is that, regardless of how your team performed in August, September and October, the postseason gives every team a chance to turn an ordinary season into a championship season in November.

Both Gaylord and St. Mary are hoping to do just that when districts begin on Monday, Nov. 2, after finishing the regular season with under 10 wins each. Meanwhile, Johannesburg-Lewiston finished another regular season with at least 25 wins, but faces a tough Division 3 district bracket without its best player, senior Mady Peppin.

When and where will Gaylord area volleyball teams be playing next week, and who has the best chance of winning a district title?

Gaylord (Division 1, District 1; Non-traditional host)

Semifinals, Monday, Nov. 2: Marquette vs. Alpena, 5 p.m., at Marquette; Petoskey vs. Gaylord , 6 p.m., at Gaylord

Finals, 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 5 at Gaylord

Outlook: Gaylord volleyball's regular season has been more about reestablishing a culture within the program than chasing wins and losses. Even still, this bracket may be the most favorable district bracket a team like Gaylord could ask for.

Even with two losses to Petoskey on its record, the Blue Devils have played the Northmen to at least four sets in each of the two regular season matchups. If Gaylord can find its way past its rival in round one, the Blue Devils would host a match against Alpena, another team they played to five sets, or Marquette, a 10-win team that would have to travel nearly four hours across the bridge to Jim Mongeau Gymnasium.

While still not the most likely outcome, a district title isn't out of the question for GHS this season.

Prediction: Marquette def. Petoskey in finals

Johannesburg-Lewiston (Division 3, District 68; Mancelona)

First round, Monday, Nov. 2: Mancelona vs. Grand Traverse Academy, 5:30 p.m.; JoBurg vs. Glen Lake, 7 p.m.

Semifinals, Wednesday, Nov. 4: Traverse City St. Francis vs. Mancy/GTA, 5:30 p.m.; Elk Rapids vs. JL /Glen Lake, 7 p.m.

Finals, Thursday, Nov. 5 at Mancelona High School

Outlook : JoBurg volleyball has been as consistent as any program in Northern Michigan, consistently turning in winning records at the end of the regular season while being a staple in the Ski Valley Conference hunt. This may be head coach Kristine Peppin's best coaching job to date, however, finishing with over 25 wins again despite losing her best player, Mady Peppin, on the first day of the regular season.

Still, a more favorable district draw would have been nice.

Traverse City St. Francis is the clear favorite to win this district, ranked No. 6 in the state for Division 3 and a state title contender. Elk Rapids could also compete with TCSF, an honorable mention in the Division 3 rankings and the last program to beat St. Francis in a district matchup back in 2022.

Even Glen Lake poses a challenge for the Cardinals in the first round, a team with wins over Onekama and Charlevoix on its 2026 resume.

Prediction: TCSF def. Elk Rapids in finals

Gaylord St. Mary (Division 4, District 105; St. Mary)

First round, Monday, Nov. 2: Gaylord St. Mary vs. Wolverine, 5:30 p.m.

Semifinals, Wednesday, Nov. 4: Boyne Falls vs. GSM /Wolverine, 5:30 p.m.; East Jordan vs. Ellsworth, 7 p.m.

Finals, Thursday, Nov. 5 at Gaylord St. Mary

Outlook: Can Gaylord St. Mary put a tough regular season behind it? If they want to do that, the Snowbirds will have to go through a tough district bracket in their home gym.

Boyne Falls and East Jordan seem to be the favorites to make it to the district finals, while GSM will need to find a way past Wolverine and Boyne Falls to reach the final match of the bracket.

GSM has a young roster, featuring just one senior and two juniors. District titles may be in GSM's future, but it's tough to see the trophy staying in Gaylord this season.

Prediction: East Jordan def. Boyne Falls in finals

Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@gaylordheraldtimes.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen.