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Black Bears victorious in volleyball action

By Adam Hinch 3 min read
Big Bay de Noc freshman Kentlee DesJarden makes a play at the net against Hannahville on Sept. 8, 2026 at Big Bay de Noc School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

GARDEN CORNERS -- The Big Bay de Noc Black Bears came away with a victory over the Hannahville Soaring Eagles in four sets of a volleyball contest here Tuesday.

The Black Bears jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the first set behind a pair of aces by freshman Ivy Gates and a kill by senior Payton Pederson after the lead was to three at 10-7. The Black Bears scored seven straight points including a six-point serving run by freshman Brooklynn Partain to put the Black Bears up 17-7. Then had another six-point serving run by freshman Kentlee DesJarden as the Black Bears scored 14 of 15 points in the first set to take a 24-8 lead.

Hannahville battled back with a six-point serving run of their own including four aces from McKenzie Mathias to cut the deficit to 24-14 but ultimately dropped the first set.

"We came out with a lot of energy tonight," Pederson said. "This win gives us a lot of confidence being such a young team, games like this are a good boost for us."

Hannahville jumped out to an early 6-3 lead in the second set behind four consecutive aces by Karlie Alexander. The Black Bears responded scoring nine of the next 13 points to take a 12-10 lead on an ace by DesJarden. The Broncos went on to take the second set 25-18.

The third set was all Hannahville early as they jumped out to a 9-1 lead with five aces by Alexander who had 10 of them on the night.

The Black Bears ran off seven straight points including a six-point serving run by Pederson that included an ace. But Hannahville kept it close and scored five of the last six points to take the set 25-21.

"I think it was more of a mindset thing," Black Bears coach Angie Carley said. "We switched up our rotation yesterday and we have been doing that since the beginning so I have to give them credit for that because when I ask them to do something they do it."

In the fourth set the Soaring Eagles took an early 3-1 lead but the Black Bears responded to tie the game at three on an ace by Pederson. The Black Bears closed the fourth set scoring 9 of the final 13 points to take the set 25-18.

Big Bay de Noc will be back in action Tuesday as they host Munising Baptist in a doubleheader while Hannahville travels to Maplewood Baptist on Sept. 17.

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