Rock-Mid Peninsula sophomore Hope Brunngraeber delivers a serve against Rapid River on Sept. 7, 2023 at Rock-Mid Peninsula High School.

ST. NICHOLAS — Rock-Mid Peninsula volleyball emerged victorious in a thrilling five-set match against Rapid River on Thursday night. The Wolverines won 25-14, 17-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-5.

Mid Pen got off to a fast start in the first stanza taking a 8-2 lead on an ace by Rachel Johnson. Rapid River pulled within five at 10-5 but that would be the closest they would get dropping the stanza 25-14. “I was really happy with the teams effort out there,” Mid Pen coach Emily Kayser said. “Nice to see the fans out tonight. The girls definitely fed off the energy of the crowd.”

The second set went back and forth early and both teams were tied at 14 when Rapid River got in a groove running off eight of the next nine points taking a 22-15 lead. The Rockets held on to win the second set 25-17.

Mid Pen rebounded in the third set Hope Brunngraeber had a pair of aces in the set. “Felt really good out there tonight,” Brunngraeber said. Mid Pen took the third set 25-20.

The fourth set was a tail of two stories with Rapid River jumping out to an early 10-2 lead. Rapid River was up 22-14 when senior Corrigen Flath rolled her ankle and had to leave the game. Mid Pen took advantage of that battling back but dropping the fourth set 25-22.

Mid Pen took off right where they left off in the fourth set winning the fifth set 15-5 led by Brunngraeber with two aces in the stanza. The injury was very costly for the Rockets. “We did a great job in the fifth set really bounced back from falling in the fourth set,” Brunngraeber said. The wolverines were all producing and helping each other throughout the match. “The aggressivness at the net tonight was outstanding” Kayser said. “I loved the level of chemistry the girls played with tonight.”

“It was the closest we have been to beating them,” Rockets coach Ellie Moberg said. “Before the injury I had high hopes of us taking this match but there was room for Mid Pen to capitalize on the injury and they did as any team would.”

Wolverines senior Kristin Koth had 21 assists, 11 digs, two aces and two kills. Sophomore Hope Brunngraeber had 13 digs, seven aces, seven assists and one kill. Senior Josie Hemminger had six kills, three digs, three blocks and one ace.

Rockets sophomore Aubrey Olson had eight aces and Freshman Saylor Carlson had six kills.

The Wolverines are at Munising on Sept 13, and the Rockets are at Stephenson on Sept 11.