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Deep Lakes: Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes dominate Chassell tri-meet with two wins

Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette The Lakes’ Mya Ghazale jumps for a hit during a match against the Vikings Thursday as part of the Chassell tri-meet. The Lakes won both matches they played.

CHASSELL — The Chassell gymnasium was the place to be on Thursday for some early season volleyball action. The Panthers hosted the Lakes from Lake Linden-Hubbell and the Baraga Vikings for a three-game event.

In the second match of the meet, the host Panthers fell to the Lakes 25-15 and 26-24 in the best of three series. In the first set, Lake Linden’s crisp passing and strong setting proved to get the best of Chassell. Joslyn Perala served an ace in her first series of four serves for the Lakes. Perala also dominated at the line with a number of kills.

Senior Mariah Wilmer also shined for the Lakes with an ace and a number of strong hits at the line.

When the Panthers did have a chance to capitalize while taking possession the ball, they found they could not. The best they could do were runs of threes and fours, not enough to match what the Lakes threw their way.

Highlights from their side of the court included a number of good digs from Maelene Warren as well as some hard-hit serves from her.

Miscommunication plagued the Panthers throughout the match. Too many balls fell between defenders.

“It is something we are going to have to work on,” said Panthers coach Karli Michaels. “Our girls need to know where they are going to be and where their teammates are. They’ve got to talk to each other.”

This first set was never really close as the Lakes led by 10 for much of the set.

The second set was a different story as it saw a number of long hard-fought volleys. The Panthers came back after trailing 16-9 to eventually even things at 20-20. However, they couldn’t keep their momentum going for the win.

Their defense was inconsistent at the end and sloppy play at the net didn’t help their cause.

Steady, consistent play, however, was the name of the game for the Lakes. Big hits and kills from Perela added points to the board on their side. Junior Katlyn Baccus also helped with a number of key digs.

With the score tied again at 24, the Lakes pulled away with two points in a row to earn the set and match victory.

Interestingly, Lakes coach Mandy Perreault said that despite the win, she thought her girls were a little flat.

“It’s strange for us to be playing in such a quiet gym,” she said. “We are used to a boisterous crowd. It gets our girls going.”

She added that she and her team need to work on communication.

PANTHERS TAKE FIRST MATCH

In the meet’s opener, the Panthers faced-off against the Baraga Vikings. They used strong serving and good passing to push past Baraga, 25-8, 25-12.

Chassell’s Katie Huhta led the charge with a run of eight points while serving. Warren followed behind with a run of five.

Baraga struggled to put any consistent runs on the scoreboard. Michaels was pleased with her girls’ performance in the opening game, but noted that the game also showed her that her team has a lot of work to do on the court.

“It was a good start to our season,” said Michaels. “However, the season is young.”

LAKES DOWN VIKINGS

In the last bout of the afternoon, the Lakes faced the Vikings, cruising to a match victory in straight sets, 25-9, 25-13.

Heather Chosa, who is in her second full year as head coach of Baraga, said that this was going to be a learning year for her girls.

“We need to work on fundamentals,” she stated. “We do not have a lot of height and have trouble setting up plays off the serve.”

She added that she did like the progress her setter Cailyn Goodreau and outside hitter Martina Jahfetson were making.

“They played well tonight,” she said.

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