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GLADSTONE -- The Gladstone Braves mounted an early challenge, but the Escanaba Eskymos prevailed in a 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-13) volleyball triumph in a Division 2 district opener here Monday night.
Esky, which trailed 11-9 in the first set, surged to a 15-11 lead behind a five-point service run by Carney Salo in front of a small crowd.
The victory enables the Eskymos to host Houghton in a district semifinal match tonight at 6.
"The gym was pretty quiet tonight," said Esky coach Adam Lambert. "The girls like a lot of noise during their matches. It took a couple games for them to get revved up and motivated. Gladstone was a good host and the officiating was good."
The Braves trimmed their deficit to 15-13 on a kill by freshman Lillie Johnson.
Gladstone was still within 17-14 before Esky got a sideout on a kill by Aleaha Lambert.
Senior Mari Bink added a kill to make it 19-14.
The Eskymos added a point on a Braves' passing error and gained an insurmountable 21-14 advantage on a kill by sophomore Grayson LaMarche.
"We played well in the first set," said Braves' coach Averi Hinman. "I'm glad the girls didn't give up in the end. They left it all on the court. The girls believed in themselves, had confidence and battled for everything. Even though the season ended, it ended on a positive note. We're proud of our seniors. Maci Menard did a good job setting and Jenna Potes and Lillie Johnson did a real nice job at the net."
Gladstone took a 4-3 lead in the second set on a service ace by senior Devin Messina.
The Eskymos surged to an 8-4 lead before committing a two-hit violation, trimming their lead to three points.
Gladstone was still within 10-7 following another Esky two-hit infraction.
Esky then extended its lead to 18-8 on a kill by senior middle hitter Katelyn Stahlboerger.
The Braves shaved their deficit to 20-13 on an Esky hitting error. The Eskymos, however, didn't allow them to get any closer.
Esky got a sideout to start the third set and Salo served for 10 straight points for an 11-0 advantage.
Gladstone got within 13-7 prior to the Eskymos surging to a 19-7 advantage.
The Braves trailed 24-9 before an ace by junior Maia Nelson and a block by Johnson helped keep their slim hopes alive.
Katie Lamb then clinched the match with her first varsity kill.
"We had that big run to start the third set which was good because we were able to get everyone in that way," said coach Lambert. "We loved seeing Katie get that last kill."
Stahlboerger collected 17 kills. Bink added seven kills and eight assists. Salo finished with 18 assists and seven digs and Aleaha Lambert had six kills.
Kendra Boosamra was Esky's defensive leader with 14 digs.
Escanaba -- Lambert (three aces, six kills, three digs); Bink (two aces, seven kills, eight assists, six digs); Coolman (two aces, three kills, two digs); Salo (one kill, three kills, 18 assists, seven digs); Stahlboerger (17 kills, two digs); LaMarche (three kills, one assist); Boosamra (one kill, 14 digs); Lamb (one kill), Liss (one assist); Braun (one assist); Wilson (four digs).