Munising freshman Addie Bowerman (9) attempts to make a play at the net against Black Bears players Lila Morris and Payton Pederson during the District 100 championship game on Nov. 8, 2024 at Munising High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

MUNISING — The tank hit empty for the Big Bay de Noc Black Bears here Friday night in a 25-15, 25-19, 25-4 volleyball loss to the Munising Mustangs in a Division 4 district final.

Munising, which reaped the benefits of four lengthy service runs during this match, meets Crystal Falls Forest Park in a regional opener tonight at 6 in Escanaba.

“In the second set it looked like we had a chance,” Big Bay coach Angie Carley said. “That was definitely our highlight for communication and energy. The girls and crowd had a lot of energy and they played smart at the net. Caragan (Thill) had a good service run which definitely helped our momentum, then we had some silly mistakes in the third set. We got outplayed mentally and physically.”

Thill hit a service ace to put the Black Bears up 10-5 in the second frame.

Big Bay still led 14-9 following a service error by the Mustangs.

Munising, however, got a sideout of its own on a passing miscue and senior Dayne Behning served for six straight points to send the Mustangs ahead 16-14.

The score was tied at 18 before the Black Bears got foiled on a net violation.

Big Bay still had reason to hope when the Mustangs got called for a four-hit violation, enabling it to stay within 21-19.

The Mustangs then scored the next four points, deciding the issue on a Black Bears’ hitting error.

Munising sophomore Carissa Deatsman started the third with a six-point service run, halted by another four-hit violation.

The Mustangs led 9-2 prior to committing a service error.

Big Bay, however, was unable to keep the serve and freshman Addie Bowerman served for seven consecutive points, helping the Mustangs gain an insurmountable 17-2 advantage.

“I’ve really been working a lot on my serving this year,” she said. “I’ve also worked on placing the ball and our serving gave us so much momentum. Carissa really set the tone with her serving and we got the start we wanted in the third set. I thought Big Bay played well in the second set. It’s going to be a tough match in the regional, but I’m excited for it.”

Munising took a 9-3 lead on a kill by senior Bailey Corcoran in the opener.

Big Bay, however, tied the score at nine before a kill by Deatsman enabled the Mustangs to regain the lead.

The Black Bears were within 12-11 following a Mustangs’ return error, then got foiled by a net violation.

Deatsman then served for six points, including an ace which gave Munising a 19-11 cushion, a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

“That was our focus coming in,” Munising coach Josh Cole said. “Getting first contact is very important. Carissa had been super strong at the service line all year. Addie is a pretty polished player for a freshman. She’s a game-changer for sure. Thill is one heck of a server on their side. They’re a very energetic, scrappy group. We’ve been down a couple times this season, but these are tough, tough kids. Our defense has been spectacular all year for us. We’re going to have to come out firing Tuesday. They (Forest Park) are a very, very good team.”

Behning collected seven aces, five kills and 10 digs. Deatsman finished with five aces, three kills and 19 assists and Bowerman had one ace, 8 kills and four solo blocks.

Thill led Big Bay with four kills, one block, an assist and 13 digs. Senior libero Tatum Harvey collected 19 digs. Sophomore Payton Pederson tallied two kills, two blocks, one assist and 10 digs and freshman Destiny Bleau had two blocks and 10 digs.

“Our communication broke down in the end,” Carley said. “The biggest struggle was getting over the mistakes in the third set. Although, the girls accomplished a lot this year. We have a lot of potential in our younger girls.”

Box Score

Munising — Behning (seven aces, five kills, 10 digs); Deatsman (five aces, three kills, 19 assists); Bowerman (one ace, eight kills, four blocks).

Big Bay de Noc — Thill (four kills, one block, one assist, 13 digs); Pederson (two kills, two blocks, one assist, 10 digs); L. Morris (two kills, four digs); Bleau (two blocks, 10 digs); Harvey (19 digs); Peterson (eight digs).