The Gladstone volleyball team poses for a photo with the check raised for Roni Mayville on Oct. 22, 2024 at Gladstone High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — Pink was on full display tonight as Gladstone volleyball faced off against Marquette in a Great Northern Conference match here Tuesday. Gladstone dropped all three sets 28-26, 25-10, 25-15.

Gladstone was able to raise more than $5,100 for middle school science teacher Roni Mayville.

“Tonight was more than just a volleyball game,” Braves coach Kaitlyn Hardwick said. “It’s about our community and most of these girls were in Roni’s class and it’s just so much bigger than playing a game.”

Gladstone came out with a lot of energy in the first set as it took an early 5-1 lead, which led to a Marquette timeout. The Braves extended the lead out to 8-2, when Marquette went on a six-point scoring run to tie the game at eight.

The Braves took the lead back at 11-8 on a pair of kills by sophomore Brooklyn Lauscher.

Marquette took the lead at 13-12 on a kill by senior Brianna Anderson.

Moments later a pair of aces by Braves senior Adie Tryan put the Braves back in front at 16-14.

The game continued to go back-and-forth with 11 ties and four lead changes. Gladstone tied it at 26 but Marquette scored the next two points to win the set.

The second and third stanzas were completely controlled by Marquette. The Braves allowed 22 aces to Marquette servers. The Sentinels also went on a pair of six-point service runs and Anderson led the team with nine kills and four aces. Marquette sophomore Grace Filizetti also had nine kills for the Sentinels.

The Braves were led by junior Lillie Johnson with four kills, two aces, and two blocks.

The Braves return to action Tuesday when they host Negaunee.