DOLLAR BAY — During his time on the Baraga Vikings volleyball team. The Blue Bolts dominated the first two sets in Wednesday’s Copper Mountain Conference match between Dollar Bay and the Tamarack City Blue Bolts, with the third set going to the Blue Bolts. But it turned out to be a good thing, as the Baraga girls got back on board and sailed to victory in the fourth set match, 25-14, 25-21, 16-25, 25-21.
“We served well, and that’s what kept us in the match.” Vikings coach Corey Pietila said.
Vikings’ Megan Mayo’s strong serve helped the Blue Bolts hole out 10-0 and take the lead in the first set. This gave the Vikings a 16-6 lead over him and an eventual set win.
“We’re struggling night in and night out on the first set.” Said Blue Bolts coach Sarah Audette. “It may sound strange, but it takes half a set to finally get into the flow of the match. That’s what happened tonight.”
The second set was a little better for the Blue Bolts as they seemed to wake up and turn a 20-6 deficit into a narrow 24-21 lead.
Nora Keranen of the Blue Bolts was a force on the service line, raising her team from an 11-point lead to a three-point lead, but the Vikings were unable to catch up and won in a set.
In the third set, the Blue Bolts took their first lead of the night at 6-3. When they pushed that lead to 15-7 and kept the Vikings at bay, it was as if another team had emerged. The Blue Bolts took the set, thanks in part to Kyra Isaacson.
Dollar Bay’s fighting spirit carried over into the fourth set, with Baraga (8-2) putting some distance between himself and the Blue Bolts after the two rivals tied at 3, 7 and 8. When Kinsey Jafetson stepped to the service line, Baraga’s team took a three-point lead, 14-11. Maia Hendrickson made an ace to make it 20-15, giving her a five-point lead as she ultimately won the set and the match.
Elisa Deline, the Vikings’ only freshman, had 10 kills on the night, much to the delight of her coaches.
“I like the way our setter sets up the ball.” said Pietila. “It wasn’t against the same person every time. Our passage was fine. We need to work on not being so unstable.”
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The Blue Bolts will travel to Reims on Thursday to take on the Purple Hornets. On the same day, the Vikings will travel to Linden Lake to face Lake.First serve for both internationals is set for 6:30 p.m.