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GLADSTONE -- The Gladstone and Marquette volleyball teams waged an intense battle here Tuesday night with the visiting Sentinels winning in straight sets (25-23, 25-20, 25-21).
"Both teams absolutely left it all on the floor," Braves' coach Kaitlyn Hardwick said. "I was definitely impressed with the way our girls battled back. Both are good teams, although I think our energy level slid down a little in the end."
The Sentinels gained a 16-9 cushion in the third set of this Great Northern Conference match on a kill by sophomore Eva Nystrom.
Gladstone, however, didn't just go away on this Pink Out Night.
The Braves climbed within 17-16 before a kill by junior Laine Hruska gave the Sentinels a sideout and a two-point edge.
Gladstone tied the score at 19 before the Sentinels regained the lead on a kill by junior Idalia Berry and surged to a 23-19 advantage on a service ace by senior Kiera Daugherty.
A kill by sophomore Adelynn Sanville brought the Braves within 23-21 prior to a kill by senior Grace Filizetti sealing the deal.
"It wasn't an easy match," Marquette coach Heather Concha said. "We did some homework. It was a big night for them, too. Grace is just good all the way around. In fact, all of them are good."
The Braves were within 10-7 following a defensive error by the Sentinels.
Marquette then surged to a 14-7 advantage on an ace by senior Preslie Mason, setting the stage for Gladstone's comeback.
The Sentinels wasted little time gaining the upper hand in the opener.
Filizetti provided the Sentinels with a six-point service run, including an ace which gave them an 8-1 lead.
Marquette extended its lead to 15-5 on a kill by Berry before a kill by senior Mercedes Koski gave the Braves a sideout.
An ace by junior Lauren Pare brought the Braves within 16-11 prior to a four-hit violation which gave the Sentinels a sideout.
Marquette followed with a service error.
The Braves then closed within 20-18 on an ace by junior Tiahna Reynolds.
Gladstone eventually tied the score at 22 on a kill by senior Brooklyn Lauscher before a serving miscue and a block by Filizetti gave Marquette a 24-22 edge.
A kill by senior Adele Ostlund brought Gladstone within a point. The Braves, however, were unable to pull that one out.
Gladstone led 11-6 before Marquette got a sideout on a blocking error in the second set.
Mason then went on a nine-point service run, helping the Sentinels surge to a 16-11 advantage on a kill by Filizetti.
The Braves got a sideout on a kill by Bracket, but still trailed by four points.
Gladstone trimmed its deficit to 23-20 on a net violation by the Sentinels.
The Braves, however, had a net violation of their own and Mason hit an ace to conclude that set.
Marquette hosts top-ranked Kingsford tonight at 6:30. The Braves resume Tuesday by hosting third-ranked Negaunee.
"This is what we've been working for all season," Concha said. "This being a conference match helps our seeding for the (Division 1) district."
A collection for cancer awareness was taken for Addie Tripp during the match.
"We raised nearly $3,000 for a dad of one of our players," Hardwick said. "He's doing okay, but it was pretty emotional for the girls. I think that inspired them tonight."
The Braves won the jayvee match (25-21, 10-25, 15-8) and the Marquette freshmen won in three sets.