EBEN JUNCTION — After breezing through the first set it appeared Superior Central was well on its way to a volleyball victory here Monday night.

The Cougars, however, had to fight for the rest of it in a 3-0 (25-9, 25-23, 25-23) triumph over the Rapid River Rockets.

“They’ve come a long way,” Cougars’ coach Kris Bray said. “They were setting up and hitting. We’re a good serving team, but we made too many service errors in the second and third set.”

The victory enabled the Cougars to clinch a share of the Central U.P. Conference title with Big Bay de Noc.

Rapid River climbed within 24-23 on a kill by junior Madelyn Lindbert in the third before the Cougars secured the decision.

“I’m very proud of the way the girls responded after the first set,” Rockets’ coach Katrina McNamara said. “We have some strong servers, but we’re still trying to figure out our roles. Although, we’re starting to come around.”

The Cougars took a 24-19 lead on a service ace by sophomore Lilly Simon before the Rockets mounted their comeback.

Rapid River gained an 8-4 lead on back-to-back aces by left-handed junior Kellyn Gustafson.

The Cougars tied the score at eight on a Rockets’ passing error.

Rapid River regained the lead on a kill by junior Liveah Wils and made it 11-8 on an ace by junior Donna McDonald.

The Rockets still led 15-13 following a service error by the Cougars.

Superior Central then surged to an 18-16 lead on three consecutive aces by sophomore middle hitter Kyle Steur.

An ace by sophomore Lilly Simon gave the Cougars a 24-19 advantage.

The Rockets, however, got within 24-23 on a kill by senior Aubrey Olson before the Cougars sealed the deal.

Steur ended the second set on a kill.

The Rockets led 22-21 on a Cougars’ hitting error before passing and hitting miscues by Rapid River enabled the Cougars to take a 23-22 lead.

Steur then recorded a kill for a 24-22 cushion before the Cougars closed that set.

A hitting error by the Cougars enabled the Rockets to gain a 13-7 advantage.

The Cougars closed within 14-13 before the Rockets extended their lead to 17-13.

Superior Central was then within 18-15 after a Rockets’ service error.

A Cougars’ defensive error then enabled Rapid River to gain a 20-15 cushion.

An ace by senior Marissa Strohm brought them within 21-20 before a serving miscue allowed the Rockets to take a 22-20 lead before the Cougars rallied to close that set.

Superior Central junior Rory Hancock opened the match with a five-point service run.

The teams exchanged errors before Lindgren served for 12 consecutive points while helping the Cougars take a commanding 19-1 advantage.

“Offensively, we started out pretty well,” Bray said. “I thought Violet (Porter) did a nice job at the net. For having a team as young as we have, we’re happy with where we’re at. This is a good win. We’ll take it.”

Wils led the Rockets at the net with three kills. Gustafson and Olson hit two aces apiece.

Both teams conclude their regular season Thursday. The Cougars host Munising and the Rockets visit Powers North Central.