CRYSTAL FALLS — Forest Park entered its Division 4 District 99 volleyball match against North Central coming off a successful season, during which the Lady Trojans suffered just three dual match losses.

On the other hand, North Central struggled during the regular campaign, recording just one dual match victory over two months.

When the teams met on Monday night at Eddie Chambers Gymnasium, form fell into place as Forest Park swept North Central, 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-15) to advance to Wednesday’s semifinal match at Stephenson. Hannahville will host defending district champion Carney-Nadeau in the other semifinal, also on Wednesday.

Forest Park coach Bobbie Jo Anderson said she wanted her team to play sharp and stay focused during the match against the Jets.

“I talk to the girls a lot about making sure that we stick with our game plan and play to our level,” said Anderson, who credited North Central for its improvement from earlier in the season. “And try to keep the intensity and the energy on our side. I think they did OK with that. We had some lulls there that you could tell the energy was kind of down, but for the most part, I think they played well.”

On the other hand, North Central coach Rick Mick said his team was coming off its two best performances of the season — against Rapid River and Carney-Nadeau — and was hoping for more of the same against the Lady Trojans.

“We knew that Forest Park was going to be tough,” Mick began. “We played them twice during the season and they were extremely tough the first two times as well.

“They’re a very good team. I think they played great tonight. But I don’t think we played at our best. We feel like we didn’t really have our legs with us today, and you can’t play without your legs.”

Forest Park grabbed a quick 10-2 lead, sparked by three kills and a tip from middle hitter Gracie Peterson. The Jets pulled to within 15-9 shortly after, but the Lady Trojans went on a 10-3 spurt, highlighted by two aces and a kill from outside hitter Audrey Franz, to take the opener going away.

North Central put together its best stretch of the match to start the second set. Senior Ashley Neuens fired an ace, and senior Katelyn Deming pounded a kill to help the Jets build a 7-2 edge.

Forest Park pulled itself out of its doldrums and ran off 19 of the following 21 points to take a commanding 21–9 advantage. The surge came after Anderson used her lone timeout of the match.

“I just kind of reminded them that every point counts,” Anderson said. “Pretty soon our opponents are going to get harder, and we can’t get in (this kind of) hole.”

Senior setter Rayven Jacobson led the comeback charge with three consecutive aces. She finished with 11 assists, eight digs and five kills. Forest Park’s other setter, Charlie Larson, contributed nine assists.

Sophomores Leah Feldhausen and Ema Stepien paced FP with seven kills each. Peterson chipped in with five kills and two blocks.

It was an exciting night for the Hannahville volleyball program here Monday as the Soaring Eagles advanced in post-season play for the first time in at least 15 years.

They made that possible by taking a 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-13) decision from the Norway Knights in a Division 4 district opener.

Hannahville hosts five-time defending champion Carney-Nadeau Wednesday at 7 p.m.

“It feels pretty good to win a district match,” said eighth-grader Leniceya Malinowski. “We haven’t won one in a long time. It’s exciting to have a chance to play at home and play them again.”

The Soaring Eagles fell to C-N in straight sets in last year’s district opener.

Malinowski hit a service ace for a 23-13 advantage in the third set. The Knights then committed a pair of miscues, enabling the Soaring Eagles to secure the decision.

“I think this gives us a little extra motivation,” said junior Dezirae Lattergrass. “It’ll feel good to be playing at home. A lot of people from our school will be there to cheer us on.”

Norway was within 6-5 in the finale before Lattergrass served for five straight points, including two aces, to give Hannahville an 11-6 advantage.

A lift violation by Hannahville enabled Norway to trim its deficit to 12-8 before the Soaring Eagles began to pull away.

“This was super exciting,” said Hannahville coach Michelle Carne. “They had a lot of energy playing on their home court, and our girls had a lot of motivation. We came over to scout Norway when they played Carney-Nadeau because we knew there was a possibility of seeing both teams in the district. The confidence they have now is through the roof. I’m super proud of them.”

The Knights led 15-8 in the second set, then committed a series of miscues, including a serve-receive error which trimmed their lead to 15-13.

A service error by Hannahville enabled Norway to take its last lead at 18-17.

After a sideout, Kayden Mathias served for six consecutive points, helping the Soaring Eagles secure that set.

“The girls were hustling,” said Norway coach Erika Harnden. “They kept going after the ball. Once they (Hannahville) got close, the momentum started to shift. Our team is very young, but the girls adapted well. In the beginning, they didn’t know any position. Now they know multiple positions. Even though we didn’t win any matches this year, the girls have come a long way. This was a growing year, and I’m okay with that.”

Hannahville gained a 5-0 lead on an ace by Lofquist in the opener.

The Soaring Eagles extended their advantage to 21-8 on a serve receive error before they committed a tipping error, giving the Knights a sideout.

A kill by junior Hannah Burkland brought the Knights within 22-15.

Hannahville, however, didn’t allow them to get any closer.

“Annileece served real well, and Dezirae plays well at the net and found a lot of open holes. We played without one of our setters tonight. We definitely had to change things up. It’s super exciting to be able to play on our home court Wednesday.”