Curtosey Photo

ST. NICHOLAS — A pair of volleyball rivals went down to the wire here Thursday night as Rapid River escaped with a 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 26-24, 21-25, 15-12) victory over Rock Mid Peninsula.

The Rockets secured the decision on a return which sailed out of bounds.

“They’re looking like the comeback kids,” first-year Rockets’ coach Katrina McNamara said. “That’s what gets them going. I’m very proud. This was a great match. This is also a huge confidence builder after not winning for 3-4 years.”

The fifth set was tied at 12 following a return error by the Rockets, forcing them to use a time-out.

Rapid River took a 13-12 lead on a defensive error by the Wolverines and made it 14-12 on a service ace by junior Madelyn Lindbert.

“This is a tough loss, but nothing to get upset about,” Mid Pen coach Emily Kayser said. “This was a hard-fought match both ways. We’re working on our rotations and positions on the floor.”

Mid Pen took a 6-4 lead on an ace by sophomore Madelyne Lofquist.

After a sideout, junior Kellyn Gustafson provided the Rockets with a five-point service run, including an ace which gave them a 10-6 lead.

The Wolverines were still trailing 12-8 after a passing miscue.

A kill by junior Payton Latvala provided the Wolverines with a sideout and back-to-back aces by senior Gallie Haring brought them within 12-11, setting the stage for a nailbiting finish.

The Wolverines forced the fifth set by hanging on to take the fourth 25-21.

Back-to-back aces by junior Abbigale Klee gave the Wolverines a 22-15 advantage.

Rapid River got within 24-21 on a defensive miscue before Mid Pen clinched that set on a Rockets’ defensive error.

“They were equally as tough,” McNamara said. “Their volleys were long.”

Early in the fourth, sophomore Vivian Norden hit five consecutive service aces, helping the Wolverines gain an 8-1 lead.

The Rockets shaved their deficit to 10-9 on a hitting miscue and tied the score at 12 on a return error.

Rapid River was still within 16-15 following a passing error before the Wolverines got a sideout on a Rockets’ hitting miscue and surged to a seven-point lead behind Klee’s five-point serving run.

In the third set, the Wolverines took a 22-21 lead on a Rockets’ net violation, then committed a passing error which tied the score at 22

Junior Peyton Williams provided Rapid River with a kill for a 23-22 lead.

A hitting error then put the Rockets in front 24-23.

The teams then exchanged errors before a passing miscue enabled the Rockets to close that set.

“We had little bit of miscommunication at times, but I’m proud of the way the girls played tonight,” Kayser said.

Mid Pen gained the early advantage on a six-point service run by senior Hope Brunngraeber and led 8-1 following an ace by Norden.

In the opener, the Wolverines led 14-6 prior to hanging on in the end.

Rapid River took a 23-22 lead on a defensive error before Mid Pen tied the score and took a 24-23 lead on an ace by sophomore Madelyn Lofquist.

The Wolverines then closed the first set on a defensive miscue.

In the second, a five-point serving run by junior Kinsley Damon gave the Rockets a 6-1 lead.

Mid Pen closed within 6-5 on a defensive error before Rapid River surged to an 11-6 lead on a serving error.

The Wolverines were within 18-16 following a hitting miscue by the Rockets.

Rapid River led 23-18 after a service error prior to closing the second on a serve receive error.

Junior Alivia Frappier proved the Rockets with five aces and 31 digs. Donna McDonald added three aces, eight kills and 27 digs. Saylor Carlson collected eight kills and a block to go with 12 digs and Lindbert had 30 digs.

Norden hit 10 aces and Brunngraeber added five aces, seven kills and eight assists. Madelyn Lofquist collected four aces, three kills, 10 assists and seven digs. Klee had seven kills and Haring recorded 16 digs.

The Rockets, who also won the jayvee match, travel to Stephenson Monday. The Wolverines visit Hannahville Tuesday.

Rapid River — Frappier (five aces, two kills, 31 digs); McDonald (three aces, eight kills, 27 digs); Carlson (two aces, eight kills, one block, 12 digs); Lindbert (one ace, 30 digs).

Rock Mid Peninsula — Norden (10 aces, four digs); Brunngraeber (five aces, seven kills, eight assists, three digs); M. Lofquist (four aces, three kills, 10 assists, seven digs); Klee (three aces, seven kills, one assist); Haring (three aces, three assists, 16 digs); T. Lofquist (2 aces, seven kills, one assist, eight digs); Latvala (three kills, one assist); Riley-Holtzlander (one block, one dig).