GWINN — The Painesdale Jeffers Jets were sky high coming into a Division 3 regional volleyball opener here Tuesday night.

It reflected in the end result as well as they handed the Manistique Emeralds a 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-19) loss.

The victory sends the Jets (14-10) to Newberry where they’ll face Traverse City St. Francis (31-16) in the regional final tonight at 6. The Emeralds finished 18-12-3.

Manistique still had a glimmer of hope when it got within 22-19 on a kill by junior outside hitter Aaliyah Sears in the third set.

The Jets then got a sideout on a kill by senior middle hitter Montanna Heinonen, setting the stage for their first regional victory in six years when they were competing in Division 4.

“The girls were ready to play,” Jeffers coach Rachel Sondgerath said. “They came in with a positive attitude and our setter (senior Elizabeth Halonen) really connected with our hitters. We have eight seniors and seven of them have played together since eighth grade. They jelled together pretty well.”

This marked the third straight year Manistique fell to a Copper Country school in the regional opener. The Emeralds were eliminated by Calumet the past two seasons.

“They have a great offense,” Emeralds’ coach Amy Nixon said. “I’m proud of the girls for their effort. They have nothing to be ashamed of. We had a little momentum going in the end.”

The Emeralds were within 12-11 following a Jeffers hitting error.

Jeffers then extended its lead to 16-11 on a kill by senior outside hitter Mia Nordstrom.

A return error by Manistique enabled Jeffers to gain a 19-12 cushion.

The Emeralds, however, shaved their deficit to 19-15 on a kill by junior middle blocker Kaylynn McDougle.

A hitting miscue by Manistique allowed the Jets to gain a 22-16 advantage prior to its last ditch effort.

The Emeralds took a 5-3 lead in the second on a kill by senior outside hitter Kyra Carlson before Jeffers tied the score on a hitting error.

A kill by senior right side hitter Maya Carlson gave the Emeralds a 6-5.

Jeffers, however, took an 8-7 lead on an Emeralds’ service error.

Manistique tied the score on a Jets’ hitting miscue and took a 9-8 lead on a service ace by Maya Carlson.

The Emeralds again went ahead, taking a 16-14 lead on a Jets’ return error and gaining a 19-16 cushion on a tip kill by Kyra Carlson.

Jeffers surged to a 20-19 lead on an ace by Nordstrom, then committed a service error which enabled the Emeralds to tie the score.

The Jets regained the lead on a kill by Elizabeth Halonen and closed that set on an Emeralds’ hitting error.

Back-to-back kills by McDougle and another by Kyra Carlson gave Manistique an 8-6 lead in the opener.

Manistique was within 11-8 following a block by junior outside hitter Allie Renk prior to committing a passing miscue, enabling Jeffers to gain a sideout and four-point lead.

Elizabeth Halonen then started a five-point service run, helping the Jets gain an insurmountable 17-8 advantage on a kill by junior outside hitter Kylee Andrews.

“Kylee’s defense was really good,” Sondgerath said. “She made a lot of plays and Mia was very smart with the ball and knows how to place the ball. They (Emeralds) had a very scrappy defense.”

Nordstrom finished with 18 kills.

Kyra Carlson led the Emeralds at the net with eight kills. Sears and Maya Carlson finished with five apiece. Junior setter Ashlyn Jones collected 16 assists and sophomore defensive special Kendyl Flodin had 32 digs.

“I’m just so proud of our team and how far we’ve come,” Flodin said. “I think we have something to build on. A lot of people came all the way up here to support us and we’re very thankful. I thought we played well.”