Eskymos freeze Flivvers 3-1 in volleyball clash
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ESCANABA -- Senior Katelyn Stalboerger made her presence known all over the court Tuesday night, helping the host Escanaba Eskymos post a 3-1 (25-19, 25-14, 14-25, 25-13) varsity volleyball victory over the Kingsford Flivvers.
Stalboerger collected 23 kills and three blocks and was 19-of-19 serving in this Great Northern Conference match. Her seven-point service run helped the Eskymos build an 11-4 advantage in the fourth set.
"Katelyn is going to be fun to watch this year," said Esky coach Adam Lambert. "Her serves were right on. She played defense in the fourth set and helped us in the back row, and Carney Salo played very well on defense. If we get a player that's hot, the other players will rally behind her."
Kingsford trailed 18-8 before trimming its deficit to 18-13 on three consecutive service aces by Elaina Bortolini.
The Eskymos then got a sideout on a defensive error, and Stalboerger tallied three kills and a block to put the match out of reach.
"This year, we're focusing on developing," said Kingsford coach Jaclynn Kreider. "We're happy the girls focused on staying disciplined. We had fewer unforced errors in the third set. Elaina had some good serves, and we had good offensive and defensive play at times. Katelyn is just a great volleyball player. She's fun to watch. They have a lot of good athletes on their team."
Bortolini provided the Flivvers with a five-point service run in the third, helping them gain a 13-5 lead.
Esky got within 14-9 on a freeball kill by Aleaha Lambert.
Kingsford, however, didn't allow the Eskymos to get any closer.
"They did well," said coach Lambert. "Kingsford always gives us a good match. They're well coached, and they're building with a lot of younger players."
Esky, behind a seven-point service run by Salo, gained an 8-1 lead in the opener. The Eskymos led by as much as 16-8 after a kill by Aleaha Lambert before the Flivvers rallied within 19-16 on an ace by Jenna Viau.
A net violation and passing error by the Flivvers enabled Esky to gain a 21-16 cushion.
Esky then secured the opener on a kill by sophomore Grayson LaMarche.
A six-point run by LaMarch helped the Eskymos erase a 7-5 deficit in the second.
The Flivvers trimmed their deficit to 12-8 on an Esky service error before the Eskymos took control of that set.
Esky's Mari Bink tallied seven kills, Aleaha Lambert added six and Salo had 14 assists.
Mara Liss led the Eskymos on defense with 17 digs. Zoe Wilson got 16 and Stalboerger had 10.
Kingsford's Maddy Kreider collected nine kills and 24 digs. Bracket had eight kills. Bortolini served for five aces. Sundquist had four aces to go with 11 assists. Viau finished with four aces and 13 digs, and Ellery Nash provided the Flivvers with 20 digs.
Esky also won the JV match (25-13, 25-23), and its freshmen won in three sets.
The Eskymos visit Gladstone tonight at 7, and the Flivvers host Menominee on Tuesday.
Escanaba -- LaMarche (two aces, six kills, one block, four digs); Stalboerger (one ace, 23 kills, three blocks, 10 digs); Liss (one ace, three kills, seven assists, 17 digs); Salo (one ace, 14 assists, five digs); Bink (seven kills, four digs); Lambert (six kills, five digs); Wilson (16 digs); McInerney (five digs); Boosamra (three digs).
Kingsford -- Bortollin (five aces, two kills, five digs); Viau (four aces, one kill, 13 digs); Kreider (two aces, nine kills, 24 digs); Larson (two aces, two kills, Nash (two aces, 20 digs); Bracket (one ace, eight kills, two blocks); Sundquist (four kills, 11 assists).