The Mountaineers topped the host Flivvers 25-23, 25-17 for its first title since 2007.

Copper Country schools had captured the title eight of the nine previous years, a streak interrupted by Forest Park in 2011.

Calumet won the event five of the past six years and was runner-up to Hancock in 2016.

“The Copper Country schools had pretty much dominated the UP,” said Mountaineers coach Jeanne Newberry. “It has been a long time coming for us. Hopefully, this is a good omen for the rest of the season. We have a lot of experience. We’re comiing into this season in better shape because the girls played a lot of club ball this summer. We have a lot of depth on this team. With this being the first date of the season, this was a good tournament to try different combinations.”

KINGSFORD’S OLIVIA ALLEN spikes the ball Gladstone in the semifinals.

The Eskymos fell to the Mountaineers in two sets and the Braves bowed to Kingsford (18-25, 25-17, 15-12) in the other semifinal.

The Braves took a brief 9-8 lead in the third set, but a sideout tied the score and a service ace by senior Olivia Allen sent the Flivvers ahead to stay.

Gladstone also led 14-11 in the second before the Flivvers used a 14-3 run to force the third set.

In the title match, a nine-point service run by Olyvea Galeazzi helped Iron Mountain build an 18-8 advantage in the second set.

Kingsford trimmed its deficit to 23-17, but Iron Mountain didn’t allow the Flivvers to get any closer.

“We know Iron Mountain, Escanaba and Gladstone pretty well,” said middle hitter Emma Thomma, one of 11 Iron Mountain seniors. “We played with them in club ball and got to know their system.”

Kingsford senior middle hitter Aby Pickett hit 12 aces. Allen added 10 aces and 20 kills. Junior Maggie Strehlow collected 23 kills. Brooke Kriegl had 36 digs. Katherine Erickson distributed 30 assists and Lexi Roberge had 21 in the Flivvers’ 6-2 offense.

“This was a good learning experience for us,” said Kingsford coach Jaclynn Kreider. “Iron Mountain has a fantastic team this year and they’re going to be real good the next couple years. This tournament shows what we have to work on. Overall, it went real well.”

Esky opened bracket play with a 17-25, 26-24, 15-7 triumph over Calumet.

A dominating performance by sophomore middle hitter Megan Crow helped Gladstone beat Hancock 25-14, 25-13 in its bracket opener.

Iron Mountain opened with a 25-16, 25-22, 25-23 triumph over Norway and Kingsford beat Negaunee (25-11, 25-23), Forest Park (25-12, 25-16) and Hancock (25-19, 25-19) in pool play.

Beside splitting with Gladstone, the Nordics topped Menominee (25-22, 25-15) and split with Calumet (25-23, 22-25).

Forest Park also fell to Hancock (25-14, 25-14) and Negaunee (25-22, 25-22).

Area teams visit Norway for Saturday’s Great 8 tournament.