Flivver varsity netter Hayden Johnson (16) literally jumps for joy as she and other members of the Kingsford girls volleyball team celebrate topping Forest Park in a title clash Saturday to win the annual Kingsford Volleyball Invitational at Kingsford High School. Nine teams competed in the tournament, also including Iron Mountain, North Dickinson, West Iron County, Escanaba, Bark River-Harris, Negaunee and Manistique. (Sean Chase/Daily News photo)

KINGSFORD — As the Kingsford Volleyball Invitational kicked off, boxes of salty snacks and bottles of sports drinks littered the hallways of Kingsford High School Saturday morning helping mark the start of the 2023 varsity volleyball season for many area teams.

The host Kingsford volleyball team finished the day 9-1 and were crowned tournament champions after beating Forest Park 2-0 in the tournament’s title game.

Iron Mountain, Negaunee, North Dickinson, Manistique, West Iron County, Bark River-Harris and Escanaba also competed in the tournament.

“It’s great because we got second in all of our tournaments last year,” said Flivvers head coach Jaclynn Kreider. “So, we really wanted to break that second-place curse. So, it’s nice to, No. 1, get first place. But also, in the first tournament of the year, for the girls to be able to prove to themselves that if we work hard this year, there’s a lot of good things in store for us.”

While Kreider praised the effort of her entire team, one player rose to the occasion a bit unexpectedly.

Kingsford head coach Jaclynn Kreider lifts the tournament trophy over her head in triumph of her team’s victory in Saturday’s championship clash with Forest Park. Sean Chase/ Daily News photos

“I think Alyssa Larson stepped up big time today,” Kreider said. “We weren’t necessarily planning to use her in the front row and, at one point, we needed to and she did great.

“So we kept her in and I think that made a big difference.”

Larson finished the tournament with 19 assists, 17 kills, 13 digs, six aces and a block for Kingsford.

The Flivvers also received contributions from Bryonna Sanders (19 digs and 4 aces), Ellery Nash (26 digs, 10 aces and 5 assists), Maddy Kreider (28 digs, 21 kills and 20 aces), Ava Weecks (3 aces and 3 digs), Kailey Sundquist (20 kills, 8 digs, 7 aces and 4 blocks), Jenna Viau (26 digs, 13 kills, 3 assists and a block), Anna Bortolini (17 Kills and 7 digs), and Alaina Kowalski (1 kill).

Although they didn’t bring the tournament crown back home with them, Forest Park head coach Bobbie Jo Anderson isn’t hitting the panic button.

West Iron County netter Danica Shamion (7) looks to bump a shot over the net against Iron Mountain during a match at the Kingsford Volleyball Invitational on Saturday at Kingsford High School. The Wykons finished 1-5 in group play. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

“Overall, I think we did really well,” Anderson said. “We got second place, got to be happy with that. Kingsford has an extremely strong team and we knew that would be a tough match. I think we started off a little bit rusty, had some jitters, some nerves in the first tournament, the first game of the year. Definitely, some things to work on, but overall, I think they played well and did a good job.”

Ava Fischer led the way for the Trojans with 28 kills, 13 digs, 10 aces and five blocks.

Forest Park also received contributions from Charlie Larson (33 Kills, 14 aces and 9 digs), Lead Feldhausen (27 kills, 9 digs, 6 aces and 4 blocks), Ema Stepien (13 kills, 12 digs and 6 aces), Lauren Kudwa (2 kills, 1 ace, 1 dig and 1 assist), Audrey Franz (38 digs, 6 aces and 1 assist), Elsie Williams (37 assists, 12 kills, 4 digs and 2 aces), Ellie Ayers (9 kills and 5 blocks) and Dalaney Wagner (2 digs).

North Dickinson’s Mya Grunlund (5) jumps up to dink a shot over the net against West Iron County during tournament action Saturday. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photos)

Forest Park’s Elsie Williams (2) hits a bump shot against Bark River-Harris in bracket play Saturday at the Kingsford Volleyball Invite. Forest Park would advance to play the host Flivvers in the tournament’s title game. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photos)

Iron Mountain varsity volleyball player Bella Pickett (1) pushes a shot over the outstretched arms of an Escanaba defender in a clash between the two local rivals at the Kingsford tournament Saturday. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

More action at the Kingsford Volleyball invitational on Saturday. (Terry Raiche photo)

More action at the Kingsford Volleyball invitational on Saturday. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

More action at the Kingsford Volleyball invitational on Saturday. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

More action at the Kingsford Volleyball invitational on Saturday. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

More action at the Kingsford Volleyball invitational on Saturday. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)