CRYSTAL FALLS – Forest Park entered its Division 4 District 99 volleyball match against North Central coming off a successful season during which the Lady Trojans suffered just three dual match losses.

On the other hand, North Central struggled during the regular campaign, recording just one dual match victory over the course of the two months.

When the teams met on Monday night at Eddie Chambers Gymnasium, form fell into place as Forest Park swept the Jets 3-0 (25-12, 25-10, 25-15) to advance to Wednesday’s semifinal match at Stephenson. Hannahville will host defending district champion Carney-Nadeau in the other semifinal, also on Wednesday.

Forest Park coach Bobbie Jo Anderson said she wanted her team to play sharp and stay focused during the match against the Jets.

“I talk to the girls a lot about making sure that we stick with our game plan and play to our level,” said Anderson, who credited North Central for its improvement from earlier in the season. “And try to keep the intensity and the energy on our side. I think they did OK with that. We had some lulls there that you could tell the energy was kind of down, but for the most part I think they played well.”

On the other hand, North Central coach Rick Mick said his team was coming off its two best performances of the season — against Rapid River and Carney-Nadeau — and was hoping for more of the same.

“We knew that Forest Park was going to be tough,” Mick began. “We played them twice during the season and they were extremely tough the first two times as well.

“They’re a very good team. I think they played great tonight. But I don’t think we played at our best. We feel like we didn’t really have our legs with us today and you can’t play without your legs.”

Forest Park grabbed a quick 10-2 lead, sparked by three kills and a tip from middle hitter Gracie Peterson. The Jets pulled to within 15-9 shortly after, but the Lady Trojans went on a 10-3 spurt, highlighted by two aces and a kill from outside hitter Audrey Franz, to take the opener going away.

North Central put together its best stretch of the match to start the second set. Senior Ashley Neuens fired an ace and senior Katelyn Deming pounded a kill to help the Jets build a 7-2 edge.

Forest Park pulled itself out its doldrums and ran off 19 of the following 21 points to take a commanding 21-9 advantage. The surge came after Anderson used her lone timeout of the match.

“I just kind of reminded them that every point counts,” Anderson said. “Pretty soon our opponents are going to get harder and we can’t get in (this kind of) hole.”

Senior setter Rayven Jacobson led the comeback charge with three consecutive aces. She finished with 11 assists, eight digs and five kills. Forest Park’s other setter, Charlie Larson, contributed nine assists.

Sophomores Leah Feldhausen and Ema Stepien paced FP with seven kills each. Peterson chipped in with five kills and two blocks.

By the time the final set rolled around, Forest Park had all the momentum. The Lady Trojans immediately took a 9-1 lead. North Central sliced the deficit to 10-5 on an ace by senior Katie Whitens, but Forest Park regained control with a 9-2 run that effectively ended the match. A kill from Lauren Kudwa and an ace from Jacobson highlighted the final blow.

For the Jets, it was the end of the prep careers of seniors Ariel Poupore, Shea LaCoursier, Neuens, Whitens and Deming.

“Our seniors really stepped up near the end and took us through to this point,” Mick said. “The senior group was amazing, and we had two honorable mention all-conference players (Neuens and Deming). And I’m really proud of that. It’s the most we have had since I started coaching.”

For the Lady Trojans, next up is a trip to the semifinals to face a Stephenson team they’ve won five out of five sets from this season.

“However, I know that they have improved and they’re playing a lot better right now,” Anderson said of the Eagles. “So it’s going to be a tough match. It’s a long trip and they’re playing on their home court.”