ESCANABA — Finding holes in Delta College’s defense was a difficult task for the Bay College Norse as they dropped a 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-21) volleyball decision here Tuesday night.

The Norse seldom led in this MCCAA North Conference match as they dropped to 5-16 overall and 2-7 in the league with their fourth straight loss.

Bay took one of its few leads early in the third set as it went ahead 2-1 on a hitting error by the Pioneers (12-12 overall, 4-5 league).

The Norse were within 7-5 following a service ace by freshman defensive specialist Hillarie Pocaro.

“I think we were struggling with putting the ball down,” she said. “Their defense is very good. They weren’t giving us very many openings. They were also good at finding spots when they were open. They were putting down almost everything.”

Delta then surged to a 15-8 lead on a kill by sophomore middle blocker Ashlee Lenhard.

Bay trailed by seven points (19-12) after committing a passing error in the finale prior to mounting a comeback.

The Norse, however, didn’t go down easily.

A kill by freshman Mia Hauser appeared to get them untracked.

Following the sideout, the Norse climbed within 20-17 on another kill by Hauser.

A blocking error by Bay enabled the Pioneers to get a sideout and four-point cushion.

Sophomore Olyvia Saxton provided Bay another sideout on a kill.

A Pioneers’ hitting miscue enabled the Norse to get within two points before a kill and an ace by Saxton tied the score at 21.

“I thought we had them in the third set,” Norse coach Dan Porath said. “They’re a very good defensive team. They’re nationally ranked (12th in Division 2), although we weren’t at our best. We weren’t getting good swings on the ball. Although, our serves were good in that stretch. It keeps the momentum when you can get serves in.”

The late run ended when Delta got a sideout on a kill by sophomore defensive specialist Kaylee Keenan and Bay was unable to score again.

Bay stayed close most of the first set and was within 10-8 after Delta committed a service error.

The Pioneers extended their lead to 16-10 on a Norse hitting miscue, forcing them to use a time-out.

A kill by Saxton enabled Bay to pull within 17-14, but Delta again extended its lead to 23-17 on a return error by the Norse.

Two kills by sophomore middle hitter Piper Monroe and an ace by Hauser helped the Norse trim their deficit to 23-20.

A serving miscue then foiled the Norse before the Pioneers clinched the opener.

In the second set, Bay was within 14-11 after Hansen tipped the ball over the net for a kill.

Delta then began to pull away, surging to a 20-13 advantage on a kill by freshman outside hitter Corrina Gomez.

The Norse got a sideout on a kill by Monroe, but were unable to get any closer.

Monroe collected 10 kills and four blocks. Saxton added six kills and two blocks and Hauser tallied five kills and nine digs.

Freshman setter Jade Jasenovsky was Bay’s defense leader with 33 digs. Pocaro added eight.

“Even though we weren’t able to take the win away, we had some nice moments together as a team,” Jasenovsky said. “We played hard, but they were able to read us pretty well. Piper and our front row players kept pushing through. Piper and I played together for two years in high school (at Menominee) and again this year. She’s a great leader. We communicate well and have the chemistry from high school.”

The Norse, who will be road warriors for the remainder of the season, travel to Ironwood to face Gogebic Community College Saturday.