“Both teams felt like they had an opportunity to win tonight, that probably made for the competitiveness and excitement of tonight’s match, said Jets head coach Rick Mick. “Our serving needed to improve, it’s something we work on everyday, and it was nice to see the improvement tonight.”

The Jets got off to a fast and strong start to begin the opening set, with senior Ashley Neuens serving the home team to a 8-0 lead off of seven aces. However, it was the young Lady Knights squad who fought back into the set, with freshman Grace Schiltz serving.

“Grace Schiltz served phenomenal tonight,” said Norway head coach Erika Harnden. “Another player who took on a different position tonight and really did a good job considering, was Kaylee Gunville. She had to play in the middle due to us missing three girls for tonight.

The Knights’ roster of 12, was a roster of nine for the match for varying reasons Harnden noted.

Norway sophomore Kaylee Gunville (7) follows through on a serve in the second set of a Skyline Central Conference match, Monday versus North Central in Powers.

Norway narrowed the Jets early lead to 11-6, and there were a pair of fairly long rallies to the delight of the crowd. However, NC took the set by an eight-point margin over the winless Knights.

The serving of North Central, in particular senior Shea LaCoursier, was way too strong for Norway to handle in set two, as the Jets cruised to a 25-9 win. Prior to this matchup, the Jets had only one set so far on the season.

The third and final set of the night was by far the most competitive. Mick substituted in his players that don’t see as much playing time in other matches, and the Knights really picked up their enthusiasm.

The see-saw play in the final set began in the middle and latter stages, as the Jets built an early lead of nearly double digits. Norway fought back and brought the score within one point, tying the score at 18 apiece.

“The girls really stepped up their play in the final set, they really did. I was glad to see it,” Harnden added. “The crowd was loud and upbeat and that makes it hard to serve, especially for a young team, which we are. It also made it harder for the girls to communicate.”

Norway's Lyneha Hauswirth (5) prepares to serve the ball in Monday's Skyline Central Conference match versus North Central in Powers.

Upon tying the score, Norway took the lead at 19-18 before the Jets recaptured the lead and eventually went on to win the set (25-21) and the match. The matchup was the only meeting between the teams, unless they happen to meet in MHSAA District play in November.

The Jets will travel to SCC foe Forest Park tonight, before returning home to host SCC opponent North Dickinson on Thursday. Norway returns home to face Forest Park on Thursday at 5 p.m. in a SCC contest.

“It feels great for the girls to win tonight, especially because we got off to kind of a sluggish start in set one,” Mick added. “But our serving, with Shea (LaCoursier), Ashley (Neuens) and Ariel (Poupore) especially, that was the key tonight.”

NOTE: North Central’s Ashley Neuens pre-game rendition of the National Anthem was very well performed and well received by everyone in attendance.