CARNEY — The Carney-Nadeau Wolves were tested but found a way to prevail in a 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-19) volleyball victory over the Rapid River Rockets here Thursday night.

“We were a little flat-footed tonight,” said Wolves’ coach Steve Kedsch. “Although, they challenged us. We had to come from behind in each set. We’re still a young team. We’re feeling some of the growing pains.”

The Wolves were trailing 9-7 after committing a hitting error in the third set.

A two-hit violation enabled C-N to get a sideout before a five-point service run by sophomore Mariska Laurila helped the Wolves surge to a 13-9 lead.

Rapid River refused to go away, however, as it tied the score at 13 on a Wolves’ hitting error.

The finale was tied a 14 before a kill by freshman Elodie Lenca gave the Wolves a 15-14 lead.

C-N pushed its lead to 19-15 on back-to-back service aces by senior Hailey DeGrave.

The Rockets were still within 20-18 but were then foiled by a four-hit violation.

An ace by junior Samantha Kedsch gave C-N a 24-18 advantage, moments before Laurila secured the decision by tipping the ball over the net for a kill.

“I’m very impressed with these girls,” said Rockets’ coach Ellie Moberg. “It looks like they’ve adjusted to everything. Our setter (sophomore Emma Sundling) has stepped up, and our serving improved a lot from last year. We have some pretty good seniors we’re working with. We knew we were playing against a tough team. Steve is an amazing coach.”

The Rockets led 12-10 in the second set prior to committing a serving miscue.

The Wolves surged to a 14-12 lead on back-to-back aces by DeGrave.

C-N was clinging to a 16-15 lead before gaining a sideout on another service error by the Rockets.

Samantha Kedsch then helped the Wolves clinch that set by serving for seven straight points.

“We’ve been playing hard lately,” said coach Kedsch. “We’ve had some tough matches. It’s great to get one in the win column.”

In the opener, C-N was trailing 4-0 after three straight hitting miscues and a passing error.

DeGrave provided the Wolves with a kill for a sideout, then served for six points, sending them ahead 7-4.

The Rockets were within 9-7 before Samantha Kedsch added a five-point run for a 15-7 cushion.

C-N continued to pull away from there, ending the first set on a Rockets’ defensive error.

“We came out with energy in each set,” said Moberg. “When the girls get down they sometimes need that mental boost. I was excited in the third set. They knew they had to keep going.”

DeGrave finished with seven aces, eight kills and two blocks. Kedsch hit five aces to go with 23 assists. Laurila added five aces and six kills, and Lenca had seven kills and six digs.

The Wolves, who also won the jayvee match 25-7, 25-9, resume in today’s Forest Park Invitational tournament in Crystal Falls. The Rockets host Munising Tuesday.

Carney-Nadeau — DeGrave (seven aces, eight kills, two blocks, three digs); Laurila (five aces, six kills); Kedsch (five aces, two kills, 23 assists); Lenca (seven kills, six digs); DuPont (four digs); Thompson (three digs).