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The Lady Raiders (30-7-3) went unbeaten, sweeping all five matches, to claim the Armada Invitational crown on Saturday. Meanwhile, this upcoming Saturday at Cros-Lex, they will be looking to upend the host Lady Pioneers, defending champs, in the Sanilac County Tournament.

"We're looking forward to it," said Marlette coach Fred McDowell on the County meet. "We'll see Brown City again and we'll see Cros-Lex.

"This is a little measuring stick to see where we are at this time of season," McDowell continued. "Cros-Lex is always tough. In my five years, we've only won this one time."

Marlette, which will be the favorite coming into Saturday, won the County title in 2006. However, the Lady Pioneers have won it 10 times in the last 12 tournaments, including last winter. The tournament, a double-elimination format, begins at 8:30 a.m.

The Lady Raiders, cruised through pool play at Armada by defeating Armada (25-15, 25-13), Lamphere (25-14, 25-12), and Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (25-7, 25-17). Marlette met Armada again in the semis and won 25-23, 25-13. In the championship match, the Lady Raiders stopped Byron, 25-20, 25-17.

"There's something about this team," noted McDowell. "They kind o settle into....a real steady rhythm. They seem to recognize others teams' weaknesses and realize they can beat them."

Senior hitter Jenna Lange was again at the top of her game, totaling 71 kills and 10 blocks and going 25-25 serving, with two aces. Amber Wood added 24 kills eight blocks and six aces while Amara Wilson put down 10 aces in 42 good sets, Jenna Thompson was 50-of-53 in digs, and Josie Volz had 107 assists and six blocks.. Averi McEwen, Kendra Smith and Rachel Stancliff combined for 16 kills.

Marlette 25, 25, 25 Harbor Beach 20, 19, 19

The Lady Raiders improved to 8-0 in the GTC East on Thursday night with the sweep of the Pirates.

Lange was dominating in the middle with 21 kills and two blocks. Wood had eight kills and two blocks, Volz distributed 30 assists and Wilson was 16-17 serving with two aces.

Marlette 25, 25, 25 Sandusky 12, 11, 10

Lange had eight kills and Wood added two blocks and seven aces in Tuesday's East win. Volz, 12-for-12 serving, and Wilson each had four aces. Thompson turned in a combined 12 digs and serve receptions.

Katelyn Ruggles had six digs and Kristen Dryer added two blocks for Sandusky.