Norway freshman Kendall Burklund (4) blasts a shot past Stephenson’s Alayna Strahl (13) for a kill during the MHSAA D4 District 99 quarterfinals on Monday at Norway High School. (Terry Raiche photo)

NORWAY — After battling its way through the regular season, the Norway varsity volleyball team entered the MHSAA Division 4 playoffs looking to make an extended run.

The Knights kicked off playoff action on Monday against Stephenson in the Division 4 District 99 quarterfinals. Norway couldn’t overcome the Eagles and fell 3-0 (10-25, 18-25, 13-25).

“I’m very proud of the girls,” Knights head coach Erika Racine said. “I’m disappointed, obviously, I wanted to keep going. But Stephenson is a very good team.”

Now the Eagles turn their attention to the District 99 semifinals, where they will face off with Forest Park in Crystal Falls at 6 p.m. today.

Prior to the district matchup, Racine made the decision to call up multiple freshmen.

However, they only had a few days to practice.

“That’s why I’m so incredibly proud of them,” Racine said. “They practiced Friday night, Saturday night, and a little bit on Sunday. They showed up and gave it everything they had. They’re not used to playing all together, but they did a great job.”

As a result, sophomore Tessa Castelaz moved to right outside hitter to help deal with Stephenson’s power at the net.

“Tessa (Castelaz) was playing middle for us all year, she’s a great blocker and we needed that all the way across the net,” Racine said. “That’s their strong side as far as hitting and I need that presence. … She did a great job hitting outside. She really excelled at it. We were lucky to have Chloe (Chartier), so that I could move (Castelaz) out there.”

After the Eagles jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening set, Chartier got the Knights on the board with a solo block. However, as the attacking errors piled up, Norway began to fall behind.

Stephenson didn’t let up and easily took the first set, 25-10.

Although the Eagles made a habit of finding the floor on spot kills in the first frame, Norway adjusted in the second set.

“As the adrenaline gets going, they know what to do, but sometimes they need a reminder,” Racine said. “Once they get going, it’s second nature.”

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The Knights began covering the floor and kills from Castelaz and freshman Kendall Burklund put them ahead 9-7.

The set remained close down the stretch. But with the score tied a 16, Stephenson made its move, grabbing a four-point advantage.

Norway clawed back to within two of the Eagles but an ace closed the door as they picked up the set 25-18.

Burklund tallied an early kill in the third, tying things at one. However, that’s as close as the Knights would get. Stephenson was on a roll and quickly grabbed an eight-point advantage.

The Eagles kept the pressure on, eventually stretching the lead to double-digits and rolled to the match win.

JETS 3, NORDICS 1

POWERS — On the other side of the MHSAA Division 4 District 99 bracket, the North Central varsity volleyball team welcomed North Dickinson to town on Monday.

Although the Jets dropped the first set, they rallied to pick up a 3-1 win (9-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-22) over the Nordics.

Junior Raina Ledzian led the way for North Dickinson with 11 kills, 16 assists and 10 digs. She also tallied five aces.

The Nordics also received contributions from Hailee Siegler (2 assists, 7 digs, 4 aces), Jessica Harwath (2 kills, 20 digs, 5 aces) Aubrey Applekamp (5 kills, 1 assist, 3 digs, 2 blocks), Dakota Massie (2 kills, 1 assist, 8 digs, 4 aces), Maddie Miller (1 assist), Nadia Carpenter (1 dig), Kiira Ledzian (1 kill, 2 assists, 21 digs, 3 aces), Cami Sleeter (7 kills, 1 assist), Mary Grace Holmes (6 digs) and Dalaney Steinbrecher (2 aces).

North Central is back in action today at home in the District 99 semifinals against Carney-Nadeau.