Manistique’s Ella Schuetter (10) makes a play at the net against Gladstone’s Lillie Johnson (12) and Maev Hanson (9) during a MHSAA Division 3 District quarterfinal game on Oct. 30, 2023 at Gladstone High School.

GLADSTONE — Manistique volleyball came through with outstanding net play to take down Gladstone in a MHSAA Division 3 District quarterfinal game in straight sets 25-9, 25-13, 25-14 on Monday at Gladstone High School.

The Emeralds jumped out to an early 7-2 lead on a perfectly placed assist in the let corner by Leah Goudreau. Manistique pushed the lead to 16-3 on four consecutive kills by Ella Schuetter. “We wanted to get on them right away and not let them hang around,” Schuetter said. The Emeralds went on to win the first set 25-9.

The Braves came out hot in the second stanza scoring the first three points of the second stanza. “We came out with lots of energy in this game,” Gladstone coach Kaitlyn Hardwick said. The Emeralds quickly tied it at three all, but Gladstone would take the lead back at 4-3. The Emeralds extended their lead to 12-5 on two kills by Schuetter and an ace by Clara Cunningham. The Braves continued to fight back against the Emeralds with a five-point scoring run to pull within two at 12-10. Manistique pulled away from the Braves scoring 13 of the last 16 points in the stanza coming away with the set 25-13. “Our team was full of energy tonight,” Emeralds coach Amy Nixon said. “The girls did a great job of being in the right places and communicated very well with each other.”

The Emeralds shot out to an early 8-1 lead in the third set. Braves sophomore Lillie Johnson had an ace during a five-point run to pull within seven of the Emeralds at 16-9. The Emeralds reeled off four straight taking a 20-9 lead. The Braves matched that four-point run with one of their own, cutting the Emeralds lead to 20-13. Manistique scored five of the last six points in the set for the 25-14 win in the third set.

The Emeralds had a big night from Schuetter with 17 kills and two blocks. Clara Cunningham had nine digs and three aces. Emma Jones had 26 assists and Leah Goudreau had five kills and four aces.

The Emeralds will face Menominee in the division three district semifinal on Wednesday at 7p.m. in Manistique.