Iron Mountain varsity netter Chloe Maycroft (6) goes for the kill and a point against visiting Menominee during first-round action of the MHSAA Division 3, District 66 tournament Monday night at Mountaineer Gym. The Mountaineers will advance to face Manistique tonight after sweeping the Maroons 3-0. (Terry Raiche photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Iron Mountain Mountaineers swept visiting Menominee 3-0 in the first round of the MHSAA Division 3, District 66 tournament Monday night at Mountaineer Gym.

The Mountaineers won the first two sets by identical 25-16 scores before fighting off the Maroons 25-20 in the third and final set.

“The first two (sets) started really tight, but we kept our focus and then pulled away to win both,” senior setter Emma Ellis said. “The third set we started behind, so coach (Jeanne Newberry) called a timeout. We were able to pull together as a team and make a comeback and solidify the win.

“Overall, it was a great team effort.”

Newberry said serving was key, with the Mountaineers tallying 15 aces. That included six by Chloe Maycroft and another three by Ellison Powell, two by Leah Winch and one from Izzy Lewis. Maycroft also chipped in a team-high 11 kills, while Ellis added 16 assists.

Iron Mountain defender Emily Copley (21) gets ready to go up for a block attempt against Menominee during the Mountaineers’ district tournament win Monday at home. (Terry Raiche photo)

“It was a big night serving for us,” the coach added. “Chloe was on fire in the first set.”

The Mountaineers will need another of those tonight when they travel to Manistique to face the Emeralds for a spot in the final. Manistique, which drew a bye in the first round, defeated Iron Mountain twice in dual matches this season.

The other semifinal pits Gwinn and Bark River-Harris for the right to take on the IM-Manistique winner in Thursday’s District 66 final.

BULLDOGS 3, WYKONS 0

IRON RIVER — The West Iron County Wykons volleyball season ended on a sour note Monday in the first round of the Division 3, District 65 tournament when they fell to visiting Hancock at Charles Greenlund Gymnasium.

The Wykons stayed competitive in the first set but eventually dropped a 25-19 decision. The Bulldogs took a commanding two sets to zero lead after powering to a 25-13 victory in the second set.

Hancock closed off the victory with a 25-21 triumph in the third.

The Bulldogs advance to face Ishpeming in a semifinal tonight. The other semi pits heavily favored and unbeaten Calumet and Westwood. The winners will play for the district trophy on Thursday.