A Manistique player looks to make a play at the net against Menominee. Curtosey Photo

MANISTIQUE — The Manistique Emeralds cleared their first post-season hurdle in a convincing 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-22) volleyball triumph over the Menominee Maroons in a Division 3 division semifinal match here Wednesday night.

A kill by junior outside hitter Aaliyah Sears put the finishing touches on the victory for Manistique (17-11-3), which visited Gwinn (11-13-2) for Thursday’s championship match. Menominee finished 2-18.

The winner faces West Iron County (6-17) or Painesdale Jeffers (12-10) in Tuesday’s regional opener at Gwinn.

“We’re really excited,” Sears said. “This was rougher than most matches, but our serving came together which helped our hitting and passing. This is a big confidence builder for us. Getting to the regional would make for a nice environment.”

After a kill by Menominee junior Jerzey Rupiper, a kill by freshman setter Brooke Petrelius gave the Emerald a seemingly-comfortable 23-16 cushion.

A kill by senior outside hitter Kyra Carlson then made it 24-17.

Menominee, however, wasn’t quite ready to let the Emeralds off the hook.

The Maroons fought back within 24-22 on a hitting error by the Emeralds. prior to Sears’ match-ending kill.

“They don’t give up, which I think is a big turnover for our program,” Menominee coach Alan Milostand said. “They’ll fight for every point. Manistique has a tight defense and their hitters are good. Number four (sophomore Kendyl Flodin) is a real good server. During the off-season we’ll work a lot more on passing and get them to move their feet. This has been a long season. Although, we got a lot of compliments about how well the girls played.”

The Maroons took a 7-6 lead on a service ace by senior Erika Peterson.

Manistique then gained a 9-7 lead on a Maroons’ passing miscue.

A kill by senior Ella Fox shaved Menominee’s deficit to one point before the Emeralds extended their lead to 13-8 on a four-hit violation by the Maroons.

Menominee got within 13-10 on an ace by senior Jazmine Jasenovsky before Manistique gained a 17-10 cushion, forcing the Maroons to use a time-out.

The Emeralds gained a 21-13 advantage on a kill by junior middle blocker Kaylynn McDougle before Menominee eventually began its comeback.

“We tried to get some of our underclassmen in, but they certainly didn’t give up, ” Emeralds’ coach Amy Nixon said. “I think we served real well. We tried to make them run their offense and I think the girls played pretty smart tonight.”

The Emeralds gained the upper hand early in the first set, taking a 9-3 lead on kill by McDougle.

Menominee got within 13-9 on back-to-back aces by Jasenovsky and trailed only 17-14 following a kill by Peterson.

Manistique then got a sideout on a kill by Carlson and extended its lead to 20-14 on a pair of aces by Flodin.

The Maroons trimmed their deficit to 21-16 on a kill by Peterson, but the Emeralds didn’t allow them to get any closer.

Menominee led 6-5 in the second set before back-to-back kills by Carlson gave Manistique a 7-6 lead.

The score was tied at eight before the Maroons committed four-hit infraction.

They were within 12-10 before the Emeralds got a sideout on a service error.

Sears then recorded two kills and senior right-side hitter Maya Carlson added another to hike Manistique’s lead to 15-10.

After Menominee junior Jada Johnson got a kill, the Emeralds got a sideout and junior defensive specialist Addie Irving served for seven consecutive points for an insurmountable 23-11 advantage.

Sears and Flodin hit two service aces apiece. Kyra Carlson finished with 10 kills and 12 digs. Maya Carlson and Sears added eight kills each and Flodin had nine digs.