The 2024 Manistique volleyball team poses for a photo after winning the district championship game against Iron Mountain on Nov. 7, 2024 at Iron Mountain High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Manistique senior Leah Goudreau could hardly wait to get her hands on the district volleyball trophy here Thursday night.

The senior middle hitter literally took the trophy out of coach Amy Nixon’s hands after the Emeralds secured the Division 3 title in a 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-16) triumph over the Iron Mountain Mountaineers.

“It’s not mine,” Nixon said. “They’re the ones who earned it. We served very tough and they had issues with some of those. They got off to a fast start and it took us a little while to remember what the game plan was. It was very important to win the second set. When you get to 1-1, it’s like a fresh start. It’s one set less you have to win and the girls just poured it on.”

The victory sends the Emeralds to the regional tournament at Gwinn where they’ll face the winner of Friday’s Ironwood/Calumet match.

Emeralds’ senior middle blocker Clara Cunningham led off the third set with a six-point service run.

After an exchange of sideouts, Goudreau provided them with a kill and an ace for an 8-1 lead.

Junior outside hitter Kyra Carlson followed with a kill and the Mountaineers committed a four-hit violation, giving the Emeralds a 10-1 cushion.

Iron Mountain trimmed its deficit to 11-5 on a kill by junior Bella Person before the Emeralds got a sideout on a hitting miscue.

Junior middle blocker Maya Carlson then served for five consecutive points, including an ace which raised the count to 17-5.

“It felt like our energy increased,” she said. “Clara’s run gave us a lot of momentum. They played well in the first and second sets. It was very important for us to win the second set. After that we had more confidence in ourselves and Kyra really picked up her game. I think that will be a good match in the regional. We feel we have momentum. We’re happy to be moving on.”

Iron Mountain got within 19-13 on a two-hit violation by Manistique.

Goudreau then helped the Emeralds secure the third set by adding three kills.

“Our energy made a difference,” she said. “Clara’s run set the tone for the rest of the match. Our energy level always depends on who we’re playing. We all get nervous and make mistakes. We knew they were really good, but we did not expect that from them and got a little nervous. They fought for it.”

Iron Mountain took a 3-2 lead on a kill by senior Macy Linsenberger in the fourth.

Following a sideout, Cunningham served for nine points in a row, enabling the Emeralds to gain a 12-3 advantage.

Manistique led 18-8 after Maya Carlson tipped the ball over the net for a kill.

The Mountaineers shaved their deficit to 20-14 on a hitting error. The Emeralds, however, didn’t allow them to get any closer.

“Our girls came out strong,” Mountaineers’ coach Jeanne Newberry said. “I thought they would hold on a little longer in the second set, but it was a good battle. Both teams did a great job on defense. Only, we weren’t moving to the open area and they were very good at finding those. Our setter Julianna (Tapio) did a very good job. The girls just didn’t give up. They kept battling for every point. We fought to be where we are. We have a strong conference and Manistique was ranked higher than us in the district.”

In the second set, Manistique was clinging to an 8-7 lead after a return error.

Kills by Goudreau and Maya Carlson gave the Emeralds a three-point lead and a net violation and hitting miscue by the Mountaineers made it 12-7. Manistique increased its lead to 19-10 on back-to-back passing errors by Iron Mountain.

The Mountaineers, however, climbed within 19-16 on a kill by Linsenberger.

An Emeralds’ hitting miscue enabled the Mountaineers to get within 23-20 before an ace by Goudreau and a block by Mara Carlson decided the outcome.

Manistique led 18-14 in the opener before Iron Mountain pulled even on a kill by Linsenberger.

Maya Carlson then provided the Emeralds with a block and kill for a 20-18 lead.

The Mountaineers answered with a 5-0 run, taking a 23-20 lead on a hitting error.

Another kill by Maya Carlson got Manistique within 23-22.

Iron Mountain, however, secured the first set on a two-hit violation.

Goudreau, who was nearly overcome with emotion after the match, finished with 21 kills and 14 digs. Maya Carlson added eight kills, two blocks, three aces and 12 digs. Kyra Carlson finished with seven kills and senior setter Alexis McDade collected 23 assists and four digs.

Senior libero Kamry Flodin was Manistique’s defensive leader with 21 digs. Cunningham tallied 18 digs and five aces and freshman Kendyl Flodin had 11 digs to go with four aces.

“We picked up some jayvee players for the district,” Newberry said. “I’m so proud of our seniors. Their strength was just one of the accomplishments during the year.”

Box Score

Manistique — Cunningham (five aces, three kills, 18 digs); K. Flodin (four aces, 11 digs); M. Carlson (three aces, eight kills, two blocks, 12 digs); Frankovich (three aces, five digs); Goudreau (one ace, 21 kills, 14 digs); K. Carlson (seven kills); Gierke (one kill); Sears (nine assists); McDade (23 assists, four digs); Jones (two assists); K. Flodin (21 digs).