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Eskymos capture Elks’ volleyball title

Mark Johnson | Daily Press Lexi Chaillier (1) of Escanaba goes up for a block after the ball was hit by Gladstone’s Chloe Grenier (3) Saturday during the Escanaba Elks Invitational.

ESCANABA – The Elks Invitational volleyball tournament host team Escanaba Eskymos won the team title with two impressive bracket play victories Saturday.

EHS beat rival Gladstone 2-1 in the semifinals and then swept Rudyard 2-0 to claim the team championship.

The six-team tournament featured round-robin play with all teams advancing to bracket play.

Sault Ste. Marie was 9-1 and the top seed from pool play losing only one set to Cheboygan.

The Blue Devils lost 2-1 to their eastern UP rival Rudyard in the semifinals.

“We were standing around and Rudyard wanted it more than we did,” said Sault coach Lisa Moran. “We played well in the round robin, but that doesn’t mean anything in bracket play. Rudyard was scrappy and we weren’t.”

Rudyard’s seven-player team features three front line hitters Nina Alpers, Rachel Beelen and Sydnie Zeeryp.

The trio has led coach Ellen Perry’s team to tournament championships this season at the 15-team Pellston event and a nine-team title at Charlevoix.

“We tried a few different lineups today and the girls never give up,” said Perry.

“We lost to the Soo earlier in our conference match 3-1, and it was good revenge to beat them today. Escanaba played strong to beat us (in the final).”

The other semi-final was a familiar battle of Delta County rivals and Escanaba beat Gladstone 25-20, 21-25, 15-13 to reach the finals.

The two teams continue to play close matches and Gladstone coach Bill Lawrence knows his team is right there each match against the Ekymos.

“Overall today, we were 7-3 in pool play and seeded second,” said Lambert.

“I couldn’t ask for more from them and they gave it their all.”

Escanaba (5-5 in pool play) swept Negaunee (1-9 in pool play) to open bracket play.

The Eskymos’ star middle hitter Lexi Chaillier suffered a severe ankle sprain with EHS leading 18-16 in the opening game of the Rudyard championship match.

Chaillier was assisted off the court and her status for Saturday’s GNC tournament is questionable, according to Escanaba coach Adam Lambert.

“We hope Lexi may be back for the GNCs Saturday. The others knew they had to step up and they did when Lexi was out,” said Lambert.

“Paxton (Johnson) and Nicole (Kamin) in her first week moving up to the varsity, played well for us in Lexi’s spot.This was exciting, we haven’t won the Elks tournament here in 15 years.”

Escanaba beat Rudyard 25-21, 25-16 for the title, highlighted by long service runs by Tess Henderson and Kaitlyn Lord.

In the tournament, Lord and Chaillier led the Eskymos with nine service aces each and Henderson hit eight aces.

Escanaba hosts Norway tonight in its final regular season match.

The Eskymos host the Great Northern Conference volleyball tournament Saturday.

Escanaba tournament summary (15 set totals)

Chaillier, 65 kills, 9 aces; Allie Cooper, 9 kills, 1 ace; Jalin Olson, 53 digs, 5 aces; Henderson, 49 assists, 8 aces, 5 kills; Maddy Block, 6 aces; Taylor Ray, 13 kills, 1 ace; Katie Wilson, 14 kills, 6 aces; Lord, 58 assists, 9 aces; Kamin, 42 kills.

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