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HARRIS -- Playing from behind didn't work out for the Bark River-Harris Broncos here Tuesday night as they dropped a 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-21) volleyball decision to Ishpeming Westwood.
The Broncos stayed close for much of this non-conference match, but couldn't quite get over the hump.
A kill by senior defensive specialist Mira Johnson brought the Broncos within 23-21 in the third set.
Junior Bailey Dunphy got a service ace which gave the Patriots a 21-15 cushion, but the Broncos refused to go away.
"All three sets were very competitive," first-year Westwood coach Savana Driesenga said. "I don't know when a Westwood team last won in straight sets. To finish in three sets is huge for us. The girls really stuck together. Everybody contributed."
An ace by junior Grace Shandonay gave Westwood a 23-19 advantage. A service error, however, trimmed its lead to three points.
Westwood gained an 11-6 lead on three consecutive kills by Shandonay
BR-H, however, closed within 12-11, forcing the Patriots to use a time-out.
A hitting error by the Broncos enabled the Patriots to gain a 16-13 lead.
BR-H then got a sideout on a kill by junior middle blocker Skylar Brayak to shave its deficit to two points.
The Patriots gained a 6-1 lead on a Broncos' hitting miscue in the first set.
Kills by Brayak and junior right side hitter Nevaeh Maycroft brought the Broncos within 7-4.
Westwood led by as much as 13-6 following a kill by Shandonay before service error gave the Broncos a sideout.
"They came out ready to go," BR-H coach Brooke Bartley said. "They really played scrappy tonight and their libero dug up a lot of balls. They were serving aggressively in the second and third sets."
Senior outside hitter/defensive specialist Carli Erickson then served for five straight points to bring BR-H within 13-12.
BR-H was still within 21-19 after a kill by Brayak, then committed passing and return errors, enabling the Patriots to go up 23-19.
The Broncos got within 23-20 on a net violation by the Patriots, but were unable to get any closer.
In the second set, Shadonay provided the Patriots with back-to-back aces for an 8-2 lead.
Back-to-back passing errors by Westwood enabled BR-H to climb within 11-7.
Westwood gained a 14-9 advantage on a kill by Shandonay.
Senior outside hitter Alexis Olson then recorded back-to-back kills prior to a Patriots' hitting miscue, enabling the Broncos to close within 14-12.
Westwood gained a 17-12 lead on a kill senior Hayden LaMere before the Broncos shaved their deficit to three points on a serve receive error.
BR-H was within 20-18 following a kill by Erickson, then fell behind by five points before using a time-out.
Dunphy then served for an ace and junior Tatum LaFreniere closed out the set with a kill.
Shandonay recorded nine kills and senior Anika Ruspakka added five and senior Grace Tassava had 26 digs for the Patriots, who also won the jayvee (13-25, 25-21, 15-4) and freshman (25-11, 20-25, 15-7) matches.
"Grace Shandonay was hot from the service line all night and our libero (Tassava) was all over the floor, digging up balls." Driesenga said. "Grace Tassava is a real good leader. We have 10 seniors and we're leaning very heavily on their leadership. I think our mentality has improved. The girls have always had the skill. It's just a matter of being able to pull together at key moments."
Junior setter Alana Nault provided the Broncos with 26 assists. Erickson served for three aces and LaFave finished with seven kills.
"Alana and Carli are real good leaders," Bartley said. "A lot of our girls are second-year players. You want to play tough teams because it's only going to make everybody better."
The Broncos host Superior Central and the Patriots visit West Iron County tonight. Both matches start at 7:30.