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Houghton sinks Flivvers, 3-1

KINGSFORD – Houghton turned back a challenge from Kingsford on Wednesday to reach the Class B District 64 volleyball finals.

The Gremlins breezed in the first two sets and battled in the next two for a 3-1 (25-12, 25-11, 23-25, 25-22) decision over the Flivvers.

Houghton will travel to Menominee on Friday for the district championship. Start time is 6 p.m. EDT.

“I just have to give all the credit to Kingsford,” said Houghton coach John Christianson, noting the Flivvers trailed 10-4 in the third set. “It would have been really easy for them to quit, just because of the the first two sets, and they didn’t. They gutted it out.”

Syd Wickman found a deep corner of the Houghton defense to break a deadlock at 23. A net violation ended the set.

“We talked about if it’s not meant for us to win, at least we want to walk away with no regrets,” Kingsford coach Jaclynn Kreider said. “We just wanted to get in there and hit everything, and give everything we got.”

Houghton held a 19-14 lead in the fourth set after back-to-back aces from Kendra Monette. Kingsford rallied to within 22-21 after two kills from Bri Robinson and a deep shot from Gabby Nordstrom.

A Cara Monette kill boosted Houghton’s margin to 23-21. Errors closed out the set and match.

“I’m really proud of the girls to be able to come back after the first two sets and get a win, and get themselves right in there for the fourth one as well,” Kreider said.

Christianson hauled out a familiar message to his team when the Flivvers rallied – “you’re trying too hard, relax and play the game.”

“We were able to hang on again because they came hard at us as the end of the fourth set,” Christianson said. “We made some good plays and managed to get to 25.”

The Gremlins coach was impressed with Kingsford’s Jordyn Kriegl taking over the setter role full time in a 5-1 lineup.

“Jordyn stepped up when they needed it,” said Christianson, who sought out Kriegl after the match to compliment her. “She made some great sets.”

Hannah Carlson’s serving and Robinson’s hitting lifted the Flivvers in the final points of the third set.

“Carlson was phenomenal serving,” Christianson said. “She served us off the floor.

“We ran a different defense (in the fourth set) just to give Robinson a different look. She really hurt us at the end of the third set when Carlson was back serving.”

Houghton setter Megan Bugni tallied 33 assists. Sloane Zenner led the Gremlins with 18 kills, followed by Tawna Ryynanen with 12; Cara Monette, eight, and Kendra Monette, six. Tawna Ryynanen had six block kills and Zenner four.

“That’s the balance that we’re looking for,” Christianson said of the kills and blocks. “That’s our size coming through when we absolutely had to have it.”

Kreider thought nerves got the better of her girls in the opening sets. Houghton ran off six straight points to clinch the first set. Sarah Roell provided three Flivver points during a Houghton surge in the second set.

“It seemed like we were reacting to everything which is hard for us to have any control of our offense,” Kreider said. “They’ve got great hitters and you know they’re going to get their swings.

“We getting shook up and all nervous, and not allowing ourselves to play our game. It was real challenging.”

Carlson and Robinson paced the Flivvers with eight kills apiece. Kriegl delivered 15 assists. Sierra Fortner had 21 digs while Wickman and Carlson each had 13.

“I’m really, really proud of the season we had,” Kreider said of her Great Northern Conference champions. “These girls just kept getting better and better. These girls have come a long way as athletes. But more importantly the game of volleyball is temporary for them and it’s more about life. These girls are all better people because of the team and how they supported each other. I’m better for having coached them as well.”

Performance summaries:

Kingsford

Sierra Fortner – 3 assists, 21 digs

Danielle Cournaya – 2 kills, 2 assists, 6 digs

Jordyn Kriegl – 1 kill, 15 assists, 1 ace, 8 digs

Syd Wickman – 4 kills, 2 assists, 13 digs

Sam Maycunich – 2 aces, 5 digs

Sarah Roell – 3 kills, 6 assists, 2 digs

Hannah Carlson – 8 kills, 1 assist, 1 ace, 13 digs, 1 solo block

Gabby Nordstrom – 5 kills, 1 ace, 6 digs

Bri Robinson – 8 kills, 1 dig, 2 solo blocks

Houghton

Sloane Zenner – 14 kills, 4 block kills, 4 ace serves, 12 digs

Cara Monette – 8 kills, 10 digs

Kendra Monette – 6 kills, 16 digs

Tawna Ryynanen – 6 kills, 6 block kills

Megan Bugni – 33 assists

Madi Dillinger – 10 digs

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