Kingsford celebrates after beating volleyball rival Iron Mountain 3-2 Tuesday in Iron Mountain. (Burt Angeli/The Daily News)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Twin City high schools needed five sets to settle their volleyball rivalry Tuesday.

Olivia Allen’s kill and Maggie Strehlow’s ace serve snapped a 15-15 tie in the fifth set as Kingsford outlasted Iron Mountain 3-2 (25-16, 21-25, 25-23, 21-25, 17-15).

“To win in five was super exciting and a lot of fun,” said Kingsford Coach Jaclynn Kreider.

The Mountaineers opened the season by beating the Flivvers in the Kingsford Invitational.

“It was a very good match and I knew it was going to be,” said Iron Mountain Coach Jeanne Newberry. “We could play this game again tomorrow and it could be totally different.

“We were back and forth, game for game. You can’t tie. There has to be a winner. Time doesn’t run out. It’s not like the Packer game (with the Vikings on Sunday).”

Kingsford Coach Jaclynn Kreider was impressed with her team’s composure in a noisy gym, showing no nervousness and coming out swinging.

“I love the way our girls were super aggressive

all night long,” said Kreider, noting past close matches had the Flivvers scared to attack the ball. “Tonight I didn’t see that. Our girls looked to continue to attack the ball. I’m really proud of them for that.”

In the first set, Kingsford jumped out to a 6-0 lead and was never threatened.

“Ali Doolittle right off the bat was hitting the ball really, really well,” Kreider noted.

The Mountaineers evened the match in the second set, building a 16-9 lead after a Jacqui Rollins kill. The Flivvers closed to a 22-21 after consecutive Allen aces but IM responded with an another Rollins’ kill and back-to-back aces from Hanna Ellis.

Kingsford recovered from a 17-12 deficit in the third set to pull even at 21. A Maggie Strehlow kill, Allen ace and IM substitution error put the Flivvers ahead 24-21. The Mountaineers got back to 24-23 after a net serve and Mackenzie Swanson kill.

The Flivvers sealed the third set with a double block from Tori Kowalkowski and Hannah Strutz.

In the fourth set, IM bounced back from a 9-2 hole to take a 19-13 advantage. A Strehlow ace narrowed the deficit to 21-20. Flivver errors then helped the Mountaineers wind up with the set.

“Iron Mountain is just fantastic,” Kreider said. “They do a lot of untraditional things, so it’s hard for us to defend them.

“We struggled early with some of their tips over our blocks

The girls made the adjustment and that helped down the stretch.”

The Mountaineers can cause problems with their many setters.

“They run a bunch of different kids that set the ball, especially out of serve receive,” Kreider said. “It’s difficult to play when were having a hard time reading what they’re doing.”

Kingsford broke an 11-11 tie in the fifth set with an Aby Pickett kill and Katherine Erickson ace.

“Our setters were nice and consistent for being so young in a big match,” said Kreider, noting that Erickson is a sophomore. “Being in front of a big crowd didn’t shake her.”

IM knotted the score at 15 after Flivver miscues.

“We’re still hitting a little bit long, a little bit hard when we should be looking for the hole and adjusting as the ball is being set,” Newberry said. “A lot of it is serving. We’re missing crucial serves at crucial times.”

Newberry cited Kingsford’s “very smart back row.” Flivver libero Brooke Kriegl drew praise from her coach and aunt.

“Brooke did a real good in the back row,” Kreider said. “She got her ball-height down so our setters could handle the ball better.”

Riley Poupore had 15 kills and Emma Thomann added 10 for the Mountaineers. Newberry cited the back-row play of Hanna Ellis, who contributed 20 assists and nine digs.

The Flivvers. who host the Mountaineers next week, showed a balanced attack.

“Different kids shined in different sets,” Kreider said. “Aby had a set (fourth) where she was on fire.

“Our passing was real good. Overall, everybody took their turn on the front row.”

Iron Mountain beat Kingsford 2-0 (25-20, 25-13) in the junior varsity match. The Flivver freshmen downed the Mountaineers in three sets.

The Flivvers visit Eagle River, Wis., on Thursday for a pair of matches. The Mountaineers return to West PAC play Thursday by hosting Hancock.

Summary:

Iron Mountain

Jenna Santini — 1 dig

Jacqui Rollins — 4 aces, 20 digs, 6 kills, 2 assists

Kalli Balmes — 8 digs

Mya Khor — 4 digs

Alex Lewis — 1 assist

Olyvea Galeazzi — 3 digs, 1 assist

Mckenna Dabb — 1 kill, 1 assist

Hanna Ellis — 2 aces, 1 block, 9 digs, 4 kills, 20 assists

Lauren Lesky — 1 ace, 10 digs

Mackenzie Swanson — 3 blocks, 3 digs, 9 kills, 1 assist

Anna Rittenhouse — 1 block, 1 kill

Reagan Lundholm — 1 dig

Riley Poupore — 2 aces, 20 digs, 15 kills, 2 assists

Emma Thomann — 2 aces, 5 blocks, 2 digs, 10 kills

Ella Fortner — 3 aces, 8 digs

Kingsford

Brooke Kriegl – 22 digs, 3 assists

Val Caylor — 2 digs, 1 ace

Lexi Roberge — 4 digs, 12 assists

Olivia Allen — 11 digs, 4 kills, 3 aces

Tori Kowalkowski — 6 kills

Katherine Erickson — 9 digs, 1 kill, 27 assists, 3 aces

Hannah Strutz — 1 dig

Maggie Strehlow — 8 digs, 7 kills, 2 ace

Aby Pickett — 1 ace, 3 digs, 16 kills

Ali Doolittle — 2 digs, 14 kills