GLADSTONE — The Gladstone Braves showed signs of improvement here Thursday night, but it wasn’t enough to keep them from dropping a 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-15) volleyball decision to the Kingsford Flivvers.

“I’m pleased with the effort,” said Braves coach Averi Kanyuh. “The girls worked hard and started with real good energy. I think we did a good job minimizing our little mistakes. It’s encouraging for the girls and coaches to see some improvement.”

Gladstone led 6-5 in the third set of this Great Northern Conference match before Kingsford tied the score on a Braves’ serving miscue.

The Flivvers took a 7-6 lead on a kill by Grace Roberts and were clinging to an 8-7 lead following a net violation.

Kingsford then extended its lead to 12-7 prior to committing a service error.

Gladstone came within 12-9 on a kill by senior Alissa Sanville before the Flivvers surged to a 17-9 advantage following a Braves’ miscue.

The Braves were within 20-14 after a service error by the Flivvers.

Kingsford answered with four consecutive points, taking an insurmountable 24-14 advantage on an ace by Emma Andrews.

After committing a service error, the Flivvers secured the decision on a kill by Roberts.

“We don’t have the one person we need to go to, but we feel comfortable with the options we have,” said Kingsford coach Jaclynn Kreider. “We try to mix it up and get everybody involved. In the first two sets, we were running our offense well. It seemed like our communication was down early in the third set. I think we lost a little bit of our momentum. I was happy to see our girls get it back. We were probably having a little too much fun. We talked about that and regained some of our focus.”

The Flivvers, behind a six-point service run by Abby Terrian, gained an 11-2 advantage on a kill by Zoie Geronimi and extended it to 16-5 on a Braves’ serving miscue in the first set.

Gladstone trimmed its deficit to 17-10 on a Kingsford hitting error but was unable to get any closer.

A five-point run by Mackenzie Pimeau helped the Flivvers gain a 9-2 cushion in the second.

The Braves were within 19-14 after a Flivvers’ service miscue but again were unable to get closer.

“Overall, we played well,” said Kanyuh. “We needed to start coming together toward the end. We’re getting ready for (Division 3) districts.”

Roberts finished with six kills. Terrian added five kills and two blocks. Madelynn Kreider had five kills, 13 assists and five digs and Allie LaVarnway collected six assists.

Kingsford’s JVs also won (25-16, 25-4) as did its freshmen (25-18, 25-17). The Flivvers visit Escanaba Tuesday. The Braves host Manistique Monday.

Kingsford — Roberts (three aces, six kills, one dig), Wallis (two aces, four kills, three digs); LaVarnway (one ace, six assists, two digs); Primeau (one ace); Terrian (five kills, two blocks); Kreider (five kills, 13 assists, five digs); Geronimi (two kills, one block, one dig); Bortolini (two kills); Schmutzler (two assists).