MANISTIQUE — The Crystal Falls Forest Park Trojans reaped the benefits of running a balanced attack here Tuesday night in a 3-0 (25-15, 25-10, 25-14) volleyball triumph over the Atlanta Huskies in a Division 4 state quarterfinal match.

Forest Park (42-1) is making its third semifinal appearance in four years today at noon Eastern time against Fowler (34-8-2) at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek. The Huskies finished 36-2-1.

A victory would enable the Trojans to become only the second Upper Peninsula team to play in a state championship match.

In 2008, Calumet reached the Class C final where it dropped a 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-17) decision to Schoolcraft.

Senior outside hitter Ava Fischer, who hopes to play volleyball in college, put an exclamation mark on the Trojans’ victory with a match-ending kill.

“The best thing in any game is to get that last swing” she said. “We absolutely know what to expect. I think we’ll be a little more comfortable this time. I’m very hopeful.”

The third set was tied at seven and the Huskies were within 9-8 following a kill by senior middle hitter Alliyah Hagemeister.

Forest Park extended its lead to 12-8 on a kill by freshman middle hitter Josie Anderson before committing a net violation and a hitting error, allowing Atlanta to close within two points.

Anderson then blocked a shot by Hagemeister, giving the Trojans a sideout and a 13-10 lead.

“We had that little bit of a lull,” Fischer said. “We weren’t getting the swings, but we got back on track which was very important. Our goal was playing our game to our potential. Anything can happen.”

The Huskies were still within 16-12 following a kill by freshman Ella Switalski.

Forest Park then surged to an insurmountable 22-12 advantage on a kill by Fischer.

“The girls were ready to go,” Forest Park coach Bobbi Jo Anderson said. “They want it. They worked hard. They didn’t want to go home early anymore. This means a lot, putting Forest Park and U.P. volleyball on the map. They had some great hitters, but I thought our middle hitters did a nice job slowing them down. Number one (Hagemeister) had a great swing, but I think our serves were aggressive enough to keep them out of sync. Ava played well in the back row. She brought us a long way (tonight).”

A passing error by Atlanta enabled Forest Park to gain a 9-3 lead in the opener.

Hagemeister provided the Huskies with a kill, bringing them within 11-7.

They were still within 17-12 before a service error gave the Trojans a six-point cushion.

Fisher then served for five straight points, helping Forest Park gain an insurmountable 23-12 advantage.

In the second set, a Huskies’ miscue on a return enabled the Trojans to take a 7-4 lead.

The Trojans were up 8-5 before a kill by sophomore middle hitter Evie Anderson provided them with a sideout.

Forest Park extended its lead to 14-5 on a kill by senior outside hitter Elsie Williams.

Atlanta shaved its deficit to 14-9 prior to committing a hitting miscue.

Evie Anderson then began a nine-point run, helping the Trojans build a 24-9 advantage.

That run ended on a service error before a kill by sophomore outside hitter Harper Anderson secured that set.

Fischer finished with 14 kills and 22 digs. Harper and Josie Anderson added eight kills apiece. Williams tallied 15 digs. Junior setter Vienna Price collected 14. Evie Anderson finished with 12 and Harper Anderson had nine.