Essexville Garber has been here before.

And the Dukes are playing like it.

One year after capturing the first regional volleyball championship in program history, Garber is on the verge of making it two in a row. The Dukes played like a seasoned and skilled bunch for a 25-12, 25-19, 25-16 no-doubt victory over host Alma in the Division 2 regional semifinal.

“I’m super impressed that they know exactly what they need to do and they’re totally locked in,” Garber coach Kim Kokaly said. “They’re playing like an elite group of volleyball players.”

Garber (42-13-3) takes on Ogemaw Heights at 6 p.m. Thursday at Standish-Sterling for the regional crown.

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That’s a feat that no Garber volleyball team had accomplished before last

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