GLADSTONE — The Ishpeming Hematites proved to be a tough match-up for Gladstone here Tuesday night as they handed the Braves a 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-9) volleyball loss.

Ishpeming, led by senior Mya Hemmer, ran a balanced attack in this Mid-Peninsula Conference match.

“We played well,” Ishpeming coach Kate Beerling said. “Everybody stepped up, I’m proud of the girls. Realistically, we have a lot of good hitters which makes all the difference. That absolutely puts pressure on opposing hitters.”

Hemmer finished with 18 kills. Marie Salisbury collected 25 assists and Ava Jo Hares had 20 digs.

“It’s not all about the kills,” Beerling added. “As a team we hit .308 which is pretty good. The girls came into the season ready to go and I’m proud of them.”

Gladstone took a 7-4 lead in the first set on a hitting error by the Hematites.

A kill by Hemmer provided the Hematites with a sideout.

The Baylor University recruit followed that by blocking a shot by senior Lilly Johnson, shaving Ishpeming’s deficit to 7-6.

After the Hematites tied the score at seven, Janelle Seelen and Hemmer added kills for a 9-7 lead.

The Braves tied the score at 10 on a kill by junior Mercedes Koski before Ishpeming surged to a 16-11 lead on a kill by Salisbury.

Gladstone was still within 19-15 before a block by Salisbury gave Ishpeming a sideout and five-point advantage.

Janessa Eagle added a service ace for a 21-15 cushion. The Braves then committed a passing error prior to a kill by Nora Jo Anderson which provided the Hematites with an insurmountable 23-15 advantage.

In the second set, Gladstone senior Addy Blowers tipped the ball over the net for a kill and 5-1 lead.

The Hematites tied the score at five, then committed a service error which put the Braves back in front 6-5.

Gladstone still led 11-9 following a passing miscue by the Hematites.

Ishpeming then got a sideout on a kill by Hemmer and tied the score on a Braves’ return error.

Kills by Eagle and Salisbury sent Ishpeming ahead 13-11 before a hitting miscue enabled Gladstone to get within a point.

The Braves then committed a hitting error of their own, giving the Hematites a sideout and two-point cushion.

Ishpeming extended its lead to 18-12 when Salisbury pushed the ball over the net for a kill.

The Hematites continued to pull away although Koski gave the hometown fans something to cheer about when she blocked a shot by Hemmer.

“We put Mercedes in the middle and she did a pretty good job,” Braves’ coach Kaitlyn Hardwick said. “We prepared differently from what happened in the match. We expected Mya to be in the middle and she went more to the outside. I’m excited for her. It’s going to be exciting to see her play in college.”

Another kill by Hemmer gave Ishpeming an 8-3 lead in the finale before serving and passing miscues enabled the Braves to trim their deficit to two points.

The Hematites led 13-6 before a kill by Hemmer gave them a sideout.

Sophia Nerlfi then served for seven straight points, helping the Hematites gain an insurmountable 21-6 advantage.

Gladstone, which won the jayvee and freshman matches, hosts Escanaba Tuesday. Ishpeming hosts Calumet Tuesday.