Carney-Nadeau senior Ashlie Topper attempts to make a play at the net against North Central on Nov. 6, 2024 at North Central High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

SPALDING — Senior Mariska Laurila enjoyed a strong night at the net here Wednesday, helping the Carney-Nadeau Wolves defeat the Powers North Central Jets 3-1 (25-23, 25-17, 22-25, 25-14) in a Division 4 district volleyball semifinal.

The victory sent the Wolves (17-2-1) to top-ranked Crystal Falls Forest Park (32-4-1) for Thursday’s championship match. The winner advanced to Tuesday’s regional opener at Escanaba to face Big Bay de Noc (16-4) or Munising (14-7-1). The Jets finished 7-14.

Laurila collected 12 kills and served for three aces in Wednesday’s match.

“We knew they had only one blocker up front,’ she said. “I tried to get the ball around her and hit the corners. I was a little surprised they beat North Dickinson Monday night, although North Central has come a long way this year. For us it was a matter of keeping our energy up and staying positive. We just had to keep preparing and play our game.”

The Wolves led 9-6 in the fourth set before Laurila hit two aces during a four-point run for a 14-6 cushion.

North Central trailed 17-10 after a kill by senior middle hitter Haylee Gatien, who will play at Bay College next year.

The Wolves then surged to an insurmountable 21-10 advantage on a kill by junior Elodie Lenca.

“They’ve definitely improved,” C-N coach Steve Kedsch said. “We tried not to give them momentum, but that’s volleyball. Our serving was up and down tonight.”

The third set was tied at nine before Gatien provided the Jets with back-to-back kills for an 11-9 lead.

C-N was within 12-11 following a Jets’ serving miscue.

North Central got a sideout on a kill by senior Madelynn Shawlin, who then served for five straight points to put the Jets up 18-11.

The Jets still led 20-13 following a service error by the Wolves.

C-N climbed within 21-20 on a passing error before the Jets finished that set on a kill by Gatien.

The Wolves gained a 10-2 lead on back-to-back aces by sophomore setter Paige Jardeen in the first set.

North Central trimmed its deficit to 10-5 when senior Rachel Neuens pushed the ball over the net for a kill and crept within 11-8 on a Wolves’ return miscue.

The Wolves stretched their lead to 14-8, but were then foiled by a service error.

Following the sideout, senior Madelynn Corrigan served for nine consecutive points and Gatien provided a kill, giving the Jets an 18-14 lead.

C-N surged to a 22-19 lead on an ace by senior Ashlie Topper prior to the Jets climbing within 24-23 on an ace by Gatien.

The Wolves, however, were able to secure the opener.

In the second set, Jardeen hit six aces during an 11-point run and junior libero Veronica Lawrence-Smits added a kill for a 13-3 cushion.

The Jets got within 21-14 on a kill by Neuens, but the Wolves didn’t allow them to get any closer.

Jardeen finished with 11 aces, 22 assists and 11 digs. Topper added seven aces, five kills and seven digs. Lenca provided the Wolves with six kills and senior Bristal Castle had five.

“Paige can serve well when she’s on,” Kedsch said. “She’s always a strong server. Ashlie also had a good night serving and Mariska had a good night at the net.”

Gatien led the Jets with 10 kills and 16 digs.

“It was a run,” Jets’ coach Rick Mick said. “We knew Carney-Nadeau was going to be very, very tough. To get a win later in the match was exciting. Jardeen is hard to stop. I want to give full credit to our seniors. They all played very well. Rachel (Neuens) had a big block at one point in the match and we got quality minutes from several girls. We really brought up our level of play to where we got more consistent. I think the younger kids will be fun to watch next season.”

Carney-Nadeau — Jardeen (11 aces, 22 assists, 11 digs); Topper (seven aces, five kills, one assist, seven digs); Laurila (three aces, 12 kills, five digs); Walcher (three aces); Lenca (two aces, six kills, 12 digs); DuPont (one ace, five digs); Castle (five kills, 10 digs); Chaney (one kill, one assist); Lawrence-Smits (six digs).

Powers North Central — Gatien (10 kills, 16 digs).