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IRON MOUNTAIN -- The Manistique Emeralds put together three solid sets here Thursday night in a 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-15) volleyball triumph over the Iron Mountain Mountaineers.
Manistique gained an 8-3 lead on a net violation by the Mountaineers in the third set.
Iron Mountain shaved its deficit to 8-6 on a hitting error by the Emeralds.
The Mountaineers were still within 10-8 following another Emeralds' hitting miscue.
Manistique surged to a 14-9 lead on a kill by senior middle blocker Kaylynn McDougle.
A service error by Manistique enabled Iron Mountain to stay within 16-11
The Emeralds extended their lead to 20-11 on a Mountaineers' defensive miscue.
A serving miscue by Manistique enabled Iron Mountain to trim its deficit to 21-13.
Manistique, however, didn't allow the Mountaineers to get any closer, closing the match on a kill by McDougle.
"We came out strong," Emeralds' coach Amy Nixon said. "We have a pretty young offense, although it was flowing tonight. We definitely spread it out to give everybody a chance to score. It's still a learning experience at this point, but the girls are getting better everyday."
In the second set, Manistique gained a 13-9 lead on a kill by freshman outside hitter Courtney Larson.
Iron Mountain got within 14-11 before Manistique got a sideout on a kill by freshman outside hitter Berkley Hoholik.
Hoholik then added a block for a 17-11 cushion before the Mountaineers closed within 18-15 on a passing error.
Iron Mountain then committed a service error, enabling the Emeralds to get a sideout and four-point cushion.
The Mountaineers got within 20-18 before Larson recorded a kill to put the Emeralds up by three points.
Back-to-back hitting miscues by the Mountaineers enabled Manistique to gain a 24-18 advantage.
The Emeralds did likewise before McDougle's kill ended that set.
"We're working on a new offense," Mountaineers' coach Emma Cronkright said. "This year we're going with a 6-2. We have some pretty good servers. We want to give them the best opportunity to score. We're coming around a little later than planned. We have no matches next week. That will give us a chance to work on some things."
McDougle recorded nine kills. Hoholik added seven and Larson had six for the Emeralds, who also won the jayvee match 25-12, 25-15.
Senior setter Aaliyah Sears served for three aces.
"Iron Mountain played us tough," Nixon said. "They did a pretty good job. They positioned themselves well."
Cronkright said the Mountaineers have a brighter outlook than in the past.
"Our attitude is more positive," she added. "We're playing with more desire than in the past, which is a start. The only way to go is up from here."
The Mountaineers are entered in today's Crystal Falls Forest Park Invitational tournament. The Emeralds visit Bark River-Harris Thursday.