Paul Peterson photo Chassell's Sydney Danison blocks a shot in Thursday's match against Baraga. The Panthers scored a 3-0 victory.

CHASSELL — It was more or less a tune-up match for the Chassell High volleyball team Thursday night against visiting Baraga.

But the Copper Mountain Conference game, the final one of the regular season, had meaning for the seniors on Parents’ Night at Ed Helakoski Memorial Gym.

“I think the seniors were determined to go out on a winning note,” Panthers coach Kaitlyn Michaels said after her team’s 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13) win. “They’ve been playing together since seventh grade, and I can say I’ve had the chance to watch them the entire six years.”

Although they were outmatched by the taller Panthers, the Vikings kept it close for a time.

Baraga, led by the serving of Alex Johnson, tied it at 11 in the third set before crumbling before a final onslaught by the Panthers.

Chassell tallied 12-straight points to take a 23-11 lead as seniors Sophia Huhta, Milly Allen and Sydney Danison showed the way.

Baraga coach Heather Chosa said the experience of her foes was too much to overcome.

“They (Panthers) have great size and they really work together,” Chosa noted. “They’re very athletic and it’s tough to get anything going against them.”

Leading the way for the 14-3 winners were Allen with 25 assists and 10 aces. Danison contributed eight kills and two blocks, while Huhta had 10 kills, one block and three aces.

Leah Pennala chipped in with four kills and Rebecca Markham added eight digs.

Michaels said a week off playing gave her team time to work on certain parts of their game.

“It was a good time spent, a good chance to make some adjustments for the districts,” she commented.

Chassell will host Hancock next Wednesday in its district opener. The winner of that game could conceivably end up playing powerful Calumet or Houghton.

Baraga has no less a challenge, meeting a strong Lake Linden-Hubbell team in its district opener.

“We didn’t get any break in the drawing,” Chosa said. “But you have to play every team in the tournaments any way you look at it.”