Manistique senior Leah Goudreau delivers a serve against Ishpeming on Sept. 10, 2024 in the Bonifas Gymnasium at Manistique Middle and High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

MANISTIQUE — Speed and athleticism led Manistique volleyball to a 21-25, 25-17, 18-25, 25-18,15-7 victory over Ishpeming on Tuesday.

“It was a very big step up for us tonight,”Emeralds senior Leah Goudreau said. “We have lost some big players, but we have come together very well as a team.”

The fourth set went back and fourth with eight ties and six lead changes. Ishpeming jumped out to an early 7-2 lead. Manistique got an ace from Goudreau to pull the Emeralds to within three at 7-4.

Manistique was leading 10-9 when Ishpeming sophomore, Lilly Ryan dropped a serve in the right corner for an ace to tie the frame at 10. With the set tied at 15 Goudreau delivered a serve that went off an Ishpeming player for an ace to give Manistique a 16-15 lead.

Ishpeming tied the game at 16 all but the Emeralds quickly took the lead back and did not look back as they pulled away to win the set.

“This is exactly the kind of performance we needed,” Emeralds coach Amy Nixon said. “Coming off a five set loss to Gladstone last week we knew we had to play with a gritty mentality.”

The fifth set started off just like the fourth set as both teams went back and fourth. Senior Keira Frankovich delivered a serve that landed just inside the line for an ace to put Manistique up 4-2. Hematites senior Sonja Kiviniemi delivered a serve that deflected off a Emeralds player for an ace and Ishpeming took back the lead at 5-4.

The deciding set was tied at six when Manistique junior Kyra Carlson came through with a kill to give the Emeralds the lead at 7-6.

Manistique scored 10 of the last 11 points to walk away with the win.

“They are a tough program,” Hematites coach Katt Beerling said. “They are always scrappy and play very well defensively and they get with the long scoring runs they produce.”

Manistique will be back in action at 7 p.m. Thursday to host St. Ignace.