(Courtesy photo) The Niagara varsity volleyball team celebrates after winning the Great 8 Invitational on Saturday at Iron Mountain. Niagara and Kingsford finished round-robin play with identical 12-2 records before the Lady Badgers defeated the Flivvers in the one-set playoff to take home the championship trophy.

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Niagara Lady Badgers defeated the Kingsford Flivvers in a playoff set to win the Great 8 Invitational volleyball tournament on Saturday at Iron Mountain High School.

Niagara and Kingsford finished round-robin play with identical 12-2 records before the Lady Badgers defeated the Flivvers in the one-set playoff.

“I am so incredibly proud of these girls,” Niagara coach Carol St. Arnauld said. “They never gave up and battled. Kingsford is an amazing team and had us on the ropes. These girls never said die and pushed through to win.

“This team grew today and I am excited to continue to watch them grow. The sky is the limit when you believe.”

The Florence Lady Cats also performed well during the eight-team tournament, taking third with a record of 11-3. Florence went unbeaten until it faced Kingsford, but lost both sets to the Flivvers. Needing to sweep two sets against Niagara to win the title, the Lady Cats were unable to defeat the Lady Badgers.

“At times we were the best hitting team in the gym,” Florence coach Teresa Chrisman said. “When we attacked we won matches. This team just needs to finish strong, and I know that will come. Overall I am happy with how we played, and the caliber of volleyball was great for our local area.”

The host Mountaineers placed fourth with a 7-7 mark, West Iron took fifth at 5-9, North Dickinson finished sixth with a 4-10 mark, Forest Park placed seventh at 3-11 and Norway finished eighth after going winless in its 14 sets.

“We were trusting each other’s coverage better throughout the day,” Iron Mountain coach Jeanne Newberry said. “Our offensive transition to defense needs to be a little quicker as a team.”

The champion Lady Badgers were led statistically by senior setter Morgan Borchardt, who finished the event with team bests in kills with 43 and assists with 79. Niagara stat category leaders included Abby Wells with 47 digs, Raegen Frappier with 18 aces and Mallory Sanicki and Emma Broullire, with eight blocks each.

Erin Lukowicz filled up the stat sheet as well with 40 digs, 31 kills, 15 aces and 12 assists.

For Florence, Morgan Tomczak posted 44 kills and Kamdan Johnson added 33 kills.

After the invitational concluded, coaches spoke about the abilities of the local players.

“The Great 8 is a great tournament,” St. Arnauld said. “There is so much talent in this area, and this tournament allows it to be displayed. It was a battle all day, but our biggest battles were between Kingsford and Florence. Losing the first against Kingsford and Florence, my players could have easily just given up. They did the direct opposite and came back and won the second in both of those matches.”

Newberry offered her thoughts as well.

“Saturday was a great day for volleyball,” the veteran IM coach said. “On a personal note, I have been watching Carol St. Arnauld (for a long time) and what an honor to watch her intense enthusiasm on the court on every point, her passion of the competition and her encouraging words to all players in the gym today.”

Report compiled by Daily News staff writer Jerry DeRoche.