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MENOMINEE -- The Bark River-Harris Broncos appeared to be on their way to victory here Thursday after winning the first two sets of a non-conference volleyball match.
Then, all of a sudden, everything changed on Cancer Awareness Night.
The Menominee Maroons seized the momentum and never let it go as they stormed back for a stunning 3-2 (19-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 15-8) triumph.
"In the first two sets it felt like we had momentum, but we just couldn't finish on top," BR-H coach Brooke Bartley said. "Although, if we continue to do the little things, I think our girls are going to come out on top as well."
Menominee took a 8-2 lead on a kill by junior Madeline Eick in the second set.
The Broncos, however, closed within 9-8 on a four-hit violation by the Maroons.
BR-H tied the score at 13, then committed a hitting error, enabling Menominee to regain the lead.
The Maroons surged to an 18-13 lead on a kill by junior Ryann Milostan before the Broncos got a sideout to trim their deficit to four points.
Junior defensive specialist Alayna Johnson served for an ace to bring BR-H within 18-15.
BR-H got within a point before making an error on a return, enabling Menominee to take a 19-17 lead.
A kill by junior outside hitter Makayla Hyslop trimmed BR-H's deficit to 19-18.
Hyslop then served for six straight points as the Broncos gained a 24-19 advantage on a kill by junior setter Alana Nault.
The Maroons climbed within 24-23 on a hitting miscue by the Broncos.
BR-H senior outside hitter Alexis Olson then secured that set with a kill.
In the third set, junior Abigail Streicher provided the Maroons with a five-point service run as they gained an 11-3 cushion.
BR-H trimmed its deficit to 11-6 on a hitting miscue by the Maroons.
A kill by Milostan enabled Menominee to gain a 14-6 advantage and a net violation by BR-H helped the Maroons go up 17-8.
The Broncos shaved their deficit to 17-13 before a block by Milostan gave the Maroons a sideout and a five-point cushion.
BR-H rallied to tie the score at 18 on a passing miscue by the Maroons.
A hitting miscue, however, enabled Menominee to regain the lead.
The Broncos then committed a lift violation and Eick provided a kill, helping the Maroons gain a 21-18 lead.
After the Broncos got a sideout, they committed a two-hit and net violation and trailed 23-19.
Following a time-out, junior middle blocker Skylar Brayak got the Broncos within 24-20 before they committed a defensive error to end that set.
"We got the momentum going," Menominee coach Alan Milostan said. "Our girls played real well and hard and found their groove and Ryann played real well tonight. This is a big win for us. Our communication absolutely got better. Our defense also got better. Hopefully, we can keep this going."
BR-H fell behind 10-4 on a net violation in the fourth.
The Broncos closed within 14-11 on a kill by Brayak before the Maroons surged to a 22-14 advantage.
BR-H got within 23-17 on a kill by Olson, but was unable to get any closer.
"I think the girls were being intimidated," Bartley said. "Their blockers were being very aggressive in the last two sets. We had to look for number five (Ryann Milostan). She's very athletic and aggressive. Once they get her involved she does a good job."
The Maroons quickly took charge in the fifth, gaining a 6-1 advantage by Ryann Milostan.
They led 12-6 following a Broncos' passing miscue.
BR-H shaved its deficit to 12-8 on a four-hit violation before Milostan blocked a shot by Brayak to go up by five points.
The Broncos then committed a net violation and a passing error, enabling the Maroons to seal the verdict.
BR-H led the entire first set, gaining a 13-6 lead on a kill by junior defensive specialist Havyn Stenberg.
The Broncos extended their lead to 21-10 on back-to-back kills by Olson.
Menominee got within 24-19 on a Broncos' service error before a kill by Nault closed that set.
Nault provided the Broncos with 30 assists, five kills and a block. Olson and LaFave added 10 kills apiece and Hyslop finished with seven kills and seven digs.
The Broncos, who also dropped the jayvee match, host Powers North Central Monday. The Maroons host Manistique Tuesday and Escanaba Thursday.