Norway collects 10th straight VB victory
Norway extended its volleyball winning streak last week with a win at Hannahville. In front is Laylee Rossato; first row, from left, Alyssa dela Cruz, Anna deBidart, Payton Paquette, Cayleah Clifford, Ashley Carlson, Aili Freiberg; back, Chloe Chartier, Kendall Burklund, Addyson Burklund, Tessa Castelaz, Allie Grable and coach Meghan Rossato. (Courtesy photo)
HANNAHVILLE — For a short time, Hannahville hung with Norway in a non-conference volleyball match..
But midway through the first set Wednesday, the Knights took charge in a 3-0 (25-10, 25-5, 25-7) conquest of the Soaring Eagles for their 10th straight victory.
Hannahville trailed 7-3 after a hitting error, then rallied to tie the score at nine on a hitting miscue by the Knights in the opener.
Back-to-back service aces by junior Cayleah Clifford gave Norway a 13-9 lead before Hannahville got a sideout to trim its deficit to three points.
A kill by junior Tessa Castelaz provided the Knights with a sideout and freshman Addyson Burklund closed the first set by serving for 11 consecutive points.
“We came ready to play,” Hannahville coach Breanne Bedgood said. “We started with energy and I think the girls understand the rotation better. We were holding our own, then we started to break down. They’re a strong team. They got into a flow and their attacking ability took over.”
The second set was tied at three before the Soaring Eagles committed a service error.
A five-point run by sophomore Kendall Burklund extended Norway’s lead to 9-3.
After Hannahville got a sideout, sophomore Aili Freiberg started a 12-point run and Addyson Burklund provided a kill for an insurmountable 22-4 advantage.
“Our goal was to not allow them nine points in the second and third sets and we got it,” Norway coach Meghan Rossato said. “We weren’t moving our feet as well as we should early in the match. Hats off to them for coming out strong. We usually do our best when we set up the ball and hit it down.”
Hannahville was trailing 3-2 in the third set prior to a hitting miscue.
Kendall Burklund followed with a seven-point run as the Knights gained an 11-2 cushion on a kill by Addyson Burklund.
Back-to-back service errors enabled the Soaring Eagles to shave their deficit to 11-4.
Norway, however, continued to pull away and pushed its advantage to 21-6 on two straight aces by senior Anna deBidart.
Kendall Burklund hit five aces to go with nine kills. Freiberg added four aces and Addyson Burklund collected six kills for the Knights, who also won the jayvee match and host Munising on Tuesday.



