Evan McKnight | Daily Press Claire Erickson, of the Sault Area Blue Devils can be seen attempting to block an attack from The Escanaba Eskymos Senior Katelyn Stalboerger (center right) during the match-up at the Escanaba High School on Wednesday.

ESCANABA — It has often been said it’s hard to beat the same team three times in a row.

The Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils achieved that here Wednesday, but the Escanaba Eskymos didn’t make it easy for them on Senior NIght.

Sault rallied from a two-set deficit, earning a 3-2 (21-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-21, 15-13) non-conference victory.

“The momentum did change in the third set,” said Esky coach Adam Lambert. “I don’t think they realized we were undefeated in dual meets coming into this match. We had them on their heels in the first two sets and had some good time-outs that kind of slowed their momentum. They’re a very good team. They don’t beat themselves. Their coach had a lot of compliments for our team. She’s a good coach.”

Sault had also beaten the Eskymos in pool play and the championship match in Saturday’s Elks Invitational.

Claire Erickson’s block on senior middle hitter Katelyn Stahlboeger gave the Blue Devils a 7-1 lead in Wednesday’s fifth set.

The Blue Devils still led 9-5 following an Esky serving miscue.

Esky, however, surged to a 10-9 lead on a four-hit violation by the Blue Devils.

The finale was tied at 11 before a kill by Erickson enabled Sault to regain the lead.

Sault then extended its lead to 14-11, forcing the Eskymos to use a time-out.

A kill by Stahlboerger and a Sault hitting error enabled Esky to pull within 14-13.

The Eskymos, however, were unable to finish off the Blue Devils.

“We definitely pulled it out,” said Sault coach Stephanie Lynn. “We knew it was going to be tough. This was a good fight before going to the Inland Lakes Invitational (Saturday at Indian River). I think our serving, defense and serve receives came around in the third set.”

Esky took a 14-8 lead on a kill by Stahlboerger in the fourth set before Sault closed within 14-11 on a kill by Erickson.

The Eskymos pushed their lead to 17-12 on a Sault hitting miscue.

Sault, however, tied the score on an ace by senior Kylee Pavlat and took a 19-18 on a passing error by Esky.

Coolman then provided the Eskymos with a kill and 21-20 lead before the Blue Devils secured that set on a kill by senior Kenedy Hagen.

A five-point service run by junior Aleaha Lambert helped the Eskymos gain a 20-11 advantage in the first set.

Esky led 24-16 following a kill by Coolman, then committed a series of errors which allowed Sault to come within 24-21.

A little bit of miscommunication then foiled the Blue Devils, enabling the Eskymos to take the opener.

In the second set, the Eskymos led 20-11 behind another five-point run by Aleaha Lambert and were still ahead 22-14 on a Sault passing miscue.

Sault, behind a five-point run junior Isabella DeWildt, closed within 23-21 and shaved its deficit to 24-23 on an Esky hitting miscue.

Esky, however, clinched that set on a kill by Coolman.

The third set was tied at eight before Sault went ahead on a kill by senior Hannah Maurer.

The Eskymos were within 15-10 followed by kill by Stahlboerger, but were unable to get any closer.

“I really thought we’d win the fifth set,” said coach Lambert. “Our libero (senior Carney Salo) really played well and Katelyn was determined in Senior NIght. We had some communication issues that really hurt us, but I promised the girls I’d be the happy coach tonight.”

Stahlboerger led Esky at the net with 29 kills and sophomore Grayson LaMarche added 10.

Salo distributed 24 assists and had 10 digs. Kendra Boosamra collected 21 digs. Aleaha Lambert tallied 17. Bink finished with 11 and Coolman and Carley McInerney had 10 apiece.

“Number 23 (Stahlboerger) had our number for sure,” said Lynn. “This was a tough fight. I’m really proud of the girls. Our libero (junior Lucy Huskey) really turned it on in the last two sets.”

The Eskymos, who travel to Kingsford Tuesday, will play their last four regular-season matches on the road.

“The last four matches will be tough,” said coach Lambert. “We’ll have to play well.”

Escanaba — Bink (three aces, six kills, 11 digs); Stahlboerger (two aces, 29 kills, five digs); LaMarche (one ace, 10 kills, one dig); Lambert (one ace, six kills, 17 digs); Coolman (one ace, six kills, 10 digs); Salo (one ace, one kill, 24 assists, 10 digs); Boosamra (21 digs); McInerney (10 digs); Liss (three digs).