Trending
SPALDING -- The Munising Mustangs proved to be a tough match-up for North Central as they handed the Jets a 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-15) volleyball loss here Monday night.
North Central simply couldn't find an answer for Munising junior middle hitter Addie Bowerman, who recorded 20 kills in the Skyline Central Conference match.
"Addie was fantastic at the net tonight," Munising coach Josh Cole said. "We worked on some different shots in practice and Addie put them to use tonight. She's a real joy to coach. They (Jets) definitely play hard. Their setter did a real good job. They'll be much improved over the next couple years. Overall, our defense was scrambling for a lot of balls and setting up Addie and Carissa Deatsman, as a senior, has been our setter for four years. We give her some freedom to come up with exotic plays."
It was tied at four before kills by Bowerman, sophomore Vera Nettleton and freshman Emma Conklin gave the Mustangs a 7-4 lead.
The Jets continued to hang with the Mustangs and climbed within 12-11 on a service error.
A passing miscue then foiled the Jets and Nettleton followed with a service ace for a 14-11 lead, providing the Mustangs with a chance to break open the first set.
Bowerman then blocked a shot to put Munising up 16-11 before the Jets got a sideout on a hitting error.
North Central shaved its deficit to 16-13 on a service ace by senior Mylie Luedtke.
Bowerman then provided the Mustangs with a sideout and four-point lead by tipping the ball over the net for a kill and later gave them an insurmountable 24-16 advantage with yet another kill.
"That's a very good team," Jets' coach Rick Mick said. "We played them last Monday and tonight. They might be the best team we play this year. Addie is outstanding. When she's in the front row, it's hard for us to match up. In fact, they're a tough team to match up with overall. We gave a good effort tonight. This was probably the best we played in the last couple weeks."
The Mustangs maintained their control in the third set.
After the Jets tied the score at three on a Mustangs' passing miscue.
Munising then gained a 7-3 lead on a defensive error by North Central.
The Jets got within 10-7 on a defensive error by the Mustangs.
Munising, however, extended its lead to 17-8 and back-to-back kills by Bowerman, then continued to pull away.
Both teams play again tonight.
The Mustangs, who also won the jayvee match, visit Superior Central and the Jets host Norway.