Led by seniors Aubrey Applekamp and Raina Ledzian, the Nordics edged the Eagles 22-25, 25-17, 25-13, 20-25 19-17 on Wednesday at NDHS.

“A competitive match all the way through,” Johnson said. “The final set was back and forth with long rallies until Raina Ledzian was able to step up to the serving line and finish it with an ace.

“Aubrey played the net very well, and Raina ran a smart offense. Stephenson played extremely tough and made resilient plays to keep the match going.”

Applekamp notched 20 kills, 7 blocks, 4 digs and an assist in the win, while Ledzian recorded 37 assists, 15 digs, 6 kills, 5 aces and a block.

Norway’s Kendall Burklund (2) reaches for a shot against Carney-Nadeau at Norway High School.

Cami Sleeter and Dakota Massie contributed on both sides of the net as Sleeter finished with10 kills and 18 digs and Dakota Massie wound up with 18 digs, 6 kills and 3 assists.

Dalaney Steinbrecher led the ND defense with 33 digs while also serving 2 aces.

Ella Rossi chipped in with 6 kills, 4 digs, 3 aces and a block, Nadia Carpenter posted 8 digs, 2 kills and an assist and Tatum Cherubini finished with 11 digs.

North Dickinson (17-11-2) was slated to travel to Norway (17-8-2) for the district final. The teams split their two dual matches this season with the Nordics defeating the Knights in four sets Sept. 2 in Norway and the Knights gaining revenge in four sets Oct. 30 in Felch Township.

Additional ND stats:

Aunika Lindholm, 2 assists, 1 ace, 3 digs

Alle Brown, 2 digs

Zoey Garrow, 1 dig

Norway 3

Carney-Nadeau 1

Norway came through at home in a Division 4 district semifinal, defeating Carney-Nadeau 25-14, 22-25, 25-16, 25-14.

“One thing I love about this team is everyone has a shining moment, set, or game, and you can’t predict who it’ll be,” said Knights coach Meghan Rossato. “This game Anna deBidart was a standout for her serving and defense.”

After consistently serving over 90% throughout the season, deBidart delivered five aces against the Wolves. Payton Paquette had five aces as well.

“Both of these seniors made some big digs when we needed it,” Rossato added. “They are both strong leaders and I couldn’t be prouder of their growth and energy they bring to the team.”

Aili Freiberg chalked up 31 assists, bringing her season total to 494.

“She is a standout and just has great hands,” Rossato said. “Addy Burklund also just has an innate ability to dig a ball, position herself appropriately, and get to ball right to our setter.”

That contributed to Chloe Chartier’s team-leading 11 kills, the coach noted. “Proud of this team, their growth, their ability to depend and trust each other,” she said.

Rossato also credited Carney-Nadeau setter Paige Jardeen.

“She is just such a hustler, she threw out a one-handed set last night that I haven’t seen a high school setter be able to do. It was super-impressive to anyone who plays and watches the sport.”

Going into Thursday’s match against North Dickinson for the district title, Rossato thanked the Norway community for its support.

“Not too far in the distant past, you could hear a pin drop for the amount of folks that came to support the Norway volleyball program,” she said. “Fast forward to today, the stands are full and the crowd is engaged and it absolutely matters to the players, and I am honored to be able to be part of it all.” 

Norway stats:

Aili Freiberg. 1 ace, 6 digs, 31 assists 

Payton Paquette, 5 aces, 5 digs, 2 assists 

Kendall Burklund, 3 aces, 9 digs, 9 kills, 1 block 

Cayleah Clifford, 2 aces, 1 dig, 9 kills, 2 block assists 

Ashley Carlson, 6 digs 

Anna deBidart, 5 aces, 4 digs, 1 assist

Allie Grable, 1 dig

Addy Burklund, 1 ace, 10 kills, 18 digs, 2 block assists 

Chloe Chartier, 11 kills, 2 digs 

Tessa Castelaz, 2 kills, 2 blocks, 5 digs 

Emilee Temrowski, 1 dig 

Kingsford 3

Houghton 2

After losing the first two sets in an MHSAA Division 2 volleyball opener, Kingsford roared back for a 3-2 win Tuesday at Houghton. Match scores were 16-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-9, 15-8.

The win over Houghton was Kingsford’s second reverse sweep of the season. The first was against Negaunee 8-25, 22-25, 25-22, 25-13, 15-13 on Oct. 2 in Kingsford.

The Flivvers were to host the district title match Thursday against Negaunee.

Mylee Kreider led a balanced attack against the Gremlins with nine kills. Cassie Olson recorded seven, Mckynzee Kreider notched six, Staysha Jarski finished with five and Lakyn Wallis had four.

Karly Trevillian and Mckynzee Kreider directed the offense, finishing with 15 and 13 assists, respectively.

Onika Smeester fired three aces, while Mckynzee Kreider and Mya Brunswick logged two each.

Defensively, Alivia Nash led the Flivvers (21-2) with 27 digs to go with 15 from Mckynzee Kreider, 12 from Wallis, nine from Smeester and seven from Mylee Kreider.

Olson blocked three kill attempts, while Brunswick and Jarski blocked one each.

Kingsford stats:

Alivia Nash 1 assist, 27 digs

Lakyn Wallis, 4 kills, 12 digs

Mylee Kreider, 9 kills, 7 digs

Onika Smeester, 1 assist, 3 aces, 9 digs

Mckynzee Kreider, 6 kills, 13 assists, 2 aces, 15 digs

Cassie Olson, 7 kills, 1 dig, 3 blocks

Mya Brunswick, 2 kills, 1 assist, 2 aces, 3 digs, 1 block

Staysha Jarski, 5 kills, 5 digs, 1 block

Carly Trevillian, 15 assists, 3 digs

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News Editor Jim Anderson contributed