CRYSTAL FALLS — It’s not often that a sweep in a volleyball match leads to positive reactions from both coaches.

But that’s what happened Thursday night at Eddie Chambers Gymnasium where the Division 4 top-ranked Forest Park Lady Trojans earned a 25-9, 25-21, 28-26 victory over Skyline Central Conference rival North Dickinson.

“It was a great test for our team,” FP coach Bobbie Anderson said. “While we shouldn’t have let things get that close after winning the first set, it’s good for us to be challenged and forced to dig deep to finish strong.”

There’s no arrogance in Anderson’s statement. As the regular season comes to a close next week, her squad has proven to be the best team in the U.P. at this point, regardless of division.

In building a 36-1 record, with their only loss coming against Saginaw Valley Lutheran in an early-season tournament, the Lady Trojans have lost exactly one set in two months. (That set defeat came against Munising on Oct. 2)

Which is why ND coach Taylor Johnson was thrilled with her team’s competitiveness in the final two sets against Forest Park, a team that had whipped the Nordics 25-10, 25-18, 25-8 on Sept. 16 in Felch Township.

“We walked away proud of how we played,” Johnson said. “Our goal was to improve from the last matchup, and I truly feel we accomplished that and then some.”

After storming to the opening-set victory, the Lady Trojans found themselves with a tiger by the tail in the second. The Nordics built a 19-13 advantage when FP started to figure its way back.

Once they did, the Lady Trojans went on a 12-2 run to take a two-set lead.

“We shouldn’t have been in that position, but I’m proud of how we fought back and stayed mentally tough,” Anderson said.

Forest Park carried that momentum into the third set but again North Dickinson responded, and the two teams went back and forth until the Lady Trojans finally subdued the Nordics for their 32nd straight match victory.

“There’s a reason Forest Park is not only one of the top teams in the U.P., but in the entire state,” Johnson said. “I’m especially proud of our defense for sticking with them after that tough first set. We made some smart adjustments, played scrappy, and never let up.”

Anderson saw much the same thing.

“North Dickinson played excellent defense and kept many of our attacks alive,” the FP boss said. “However, our aggressive offense made it difficult for them to successfully run their offense.”

Senior Ava Fischer led that aggressive offense with 18 kills. Elsie Williams and Evie Anderson added six each, while Tessa Bartoszek contributed five.

Williams and Vienna Price directed the Forest Park offense with 19 and 15 assists, respectively.

Defensively, Fischer paced her team in digs with 19, while getting excellent assistance from Harper Anderson with 16, Williams with 13, Lily Curnow with 12 and Price with 11.

Aubrey Applekamp topped Nordic hitters with seven kills, while Cami Sleeter added five and Ella Rossi finished with four.

Raina Ledzian delivered 12 assists and added 18 digs. Tatum Cherubini paced ND in digs with 21 to go along with Dalaney Steinbrecher’s 13.

“This was a great learning match for us, and it’s encouraging to see our progress as we head into the postseason,” Johnson said.

Forest Park stats

Ava Fischer – 18 kills, 1 assist, 1 block, 19 digs, 4 aces

Harper Anderson – 3 kills, 2 assists, 16 digs

Evie Anderson – 6 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace

Lily Curnow – 12 digs, 1 ace

Tessa Bartoszek – 5 kills, 2 assists, 2 digs

Elsie Williams – 6 kills, 19 assists, 13 digs

Josie Anderson – 4 kills, 4 digs, 2 aces

Vienna Price – 15 assists, 11 digs

Kallie Margoni – 4 digs

North Dickinson stats

Dakota Massie – 1 assist, 14 digs, 1 ace

Aunika Lindholm – 1 assist, 2 digs

Aubrey Applekamp – 7 kills, 1 assist, 3 digs, 2 blocks

Nadia Carpenter – 5 digs

Ella Rossi – 4 kills, 2 digs, 3 aces

Tatum Cherubini – 21 digs, 1 ace

Raina Ledzian – 2 kills, 12 assists, 18 digs, 1 block

Dalaney Steinbrecher – 13 digs, 1 ace

Cami Sleeter – 5 kills, 1 assist, 6 digs