ESCANABA — The Escanaba Eskymos overcame a sluggish start as they regrouped in plenty of time to reach the championship match of the Elks Invitational volleyball tournament here Saturday.

Crystal Falls Forest Park, however, retained its title by outlasting the Eskymos 25-22, 25-20.

Esky dropped a 25-20, 25-20 decision to Ishpeming Westwood in its opener, then racked up four straight victories before meeting the Trojans for the second straight year in the finals.

Forest Park went 4-0 in pool play and then defeated Cheboygan 25-19, 25-13 to reach the title match.

“It was a long and exhausting day of volleyball, but the competition was great and we had the chance to face teams we hadn’t seen yet this season,” said Trojans coach Bobbie Anderson.

“We ended up playing pretty good together,” Esky coach Bev Ziebell said. “We were strong at the net today. Second out of 10 teams isn’t bad.”

A service ace by junior Sarah Carter brought the Eskymos within 20-19 in the second set against Forest Park.

The Trojans responded with three unanswered points, gaining a 23-19 cushion on a kill by sophomore Harper Anderson.

Esky then committed a service error and a defensive miscue, enabling the Trojans to improve to 29-1 with their 25th consecutive victory.

“This feels good,” Trojans’ senior outside hitter Ava Fischer said. “We were really tired. We had homecoming last night, but we had the drive to do well today. We’ve been going since Tuesday.”

Forest Park’s only loss this season came against Saginaw Valley Lutheran in the semifinals at the Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart Invitational Aug. 23.

“We learned a lot from that tournament,” Fischer said. “I think it was really good to gain that experience.”

An ace by senior Mary Kate Tourangeau gave Esky a 3-0 lead in the finale.

The Trojans surged to an 8-4 lead following a net violation by the Eskymos.

A kill by senior Susie Moberg, however, pulled Esky even at 11.

Forest Park then got a side-out on a service error by the Eskymos and an ace by senior Elsie Williams gave the Trojans a 13-11 lead.

The Trojans then extended their lead to 17-13 on three consecutive defensive miscues by Esky.

Esky got within 18-17 before a kill by Fischer gave the Trojans a side-out and a two-point lead.

The Eskymos, however, were unable to gain the upper hand.

In the first set, the score was tied at 19 before Esky committed a four-hit violation and passing miscue.

A four-hit violation then foiled the Eskymos who were unable to catch the Trojans down the stretch.

Fischer provided Forest Park with a kill and 6-3 lead, then added a pair of kills to make it 8-7 in the Trojans’ favor.

A kill by Williams gave the Trojans a 10-7 lead.

Esky responded with a 6-2 run, taking a 13-12 lead on a kill by senior Harlee Coolman.

The Eskymos, however, were unable to hang on to the lead.

Esky reached the title match with a 25-16, 25-19 triumph over Ishpeming.

In pool play, Forest Park defeated Ishpeming 27-25, 25-13; Sault St. Marie, 25-17, 25-18; Manistique 25-17, 25-12; and Bark River 25-14, 25-13.

“I’m very happy with the progress and growth we’re making as a team,” said coach Anderson. “A huge shoutout to our seniors for our seniors for stepping up and being true leaders on and off the court this weekend.”

Forest Park stats:

Ava Fischer, 51 kills, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 33 digs, 7 aces

Harper Anderson, 21 kills, 4 assist, 26 digs, 7 aces

Evie Anderson, 9 kills, 5 assists, 5 block, 28 digs, 4 aces

Lily Curnow, 10 digs, 7 aces

Tessa Bartoszek, 14 kills, 12 assists, 4 blocks, 6 digs

Elsie Williams, 19 kills, 61 assists, 3 blocks, 44 digs, 7 aces

Josie Anderson, 18 kills, 6 assists, 3 blocks, 10 digs, 3 ace

Haven VanSickle, 2 digs, 1 ace

Kallie Margoni, 7 digs

Vienna Price, 46 assists, 22 digs

–

The Daily News contributed to this report.