David Archambeau/For the Gazette Hancock’s Sadie Biekkola (left) goes up for the kill against Ewen-Trout Creek’s Peyton Hardes (center) on Tuesday night in the MSHAA Region 25 semifinal match at Houghton. Hancock’s Emily L’Esperance is on the right.

By Eddie O’Neill

eoneill@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON – While the road the MHSSA volleyball title would seemingly get more difficult with each impending game, that hasn’t been the case for the Hancock Bulldogs. Their toughest game by far this season was less than a week ago at the MHSSA Division 4 District 98 final against the Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes.

Down 0-2, the Bulldogs had to come from behind and win three sets in a row to earn a 3-2 district title.

With that win, they moved to the Region 25 semifinals on Tuesday against the Ewen-Trout Creek Panthers. It was a mismatch as the Bulldogs crushed the Panthers in three straight (25-8, 25-10 and 25-20).

“We played our brand of volleyball tonight,” stated Hancock coach Brian Lampaa. “We served well, passed well and hit the ball over the net, and we did not make a lot of errors. That was key.”

The Bulldogs showed was top dog in the first with Reese Driscoll pushing her team out to a 5-1 lead while serving. She then was back at the line for two aces at 15 and 16 and a run of six. The Bulldogs won this one 25-8.

Hancock’s Alice Larson continued the strong service to open the second with a run of 13.

“That was great. Alice set the tone for the set with that string of serves,” Lampaa added. “We forced them to make errors and make a lot of plays. That is Hancock volleyball.”

This set ended 25-10 for the Bulldogs.

The third set was Ewen’s best as they had a 3-2 lead and even a 9-5 lead. However, that is as good as it got. With Sofie Freeman on the line, the Bulldogs tied it at nine and never looked back. While the Panthers were able to bounce back at 14-14, the Bulldogs’ Emily L’Esperance pushed her squad to 20-15 lead while she served. Then, with a Brooke Koskela kill the Bulldogs just minutes later, the Bulldogs sealed the match with a 25-20 win.

“It was a tough loss,” noted Ewen’s coach Kaitlin Ruotsala. “We didn’t really come to play until that third set, and that was too late. We are young and our future is bright. I am proud of the girls.”

UP NEXT

With the win, the Bulldogs will face Crystal Falls-Forest Park for the D4 Region 25 final on Thursday in Baraga. Opening serve is set for 6:30 p.m.