Calumet's Helen Beiring (16) tips the ball as Hancock's Marina Kero (10) defends on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Calumet, Mich. (Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette)

CALUMET — It took only three sets for the Calumet volleyball team to move to 4-0 on the season as they downed the Hancock Bulldogs with a sweep on Tuesday night, 25-9, 26-24 and 25-4.

Hancock’s Kami Klein served up the first ball of the night, however, it was a little too long and the Copper Kings notched their first tally of the night. Calumet kept the tallies coming as they held the lead for the entire match. Copper King senior Ellie Djerf had a strong run of three midway through the first to put her team up 12-4.

“Ellie played well as she had some big swings,” said Copper Kings head coach Kate Bonacorsi.

Equally impressive was the defensive front of Helen Beiring. The only underclassman on the squad proved to be tough above the net.

“Helen can get up there above the net and she is strong,” Bonacorsi said.

The second set was by far the Bulldogs’ best, and they almost pulled off a victory. After a 3-3 tie, the Bulldogs moved the score up to 10-4 under the service of Sophie Heinonen. It was their biggest lead of the night. While the Copper Kings threatened with some long volleys, the Bulldogs stayed one step ahead with a two- to three-point lead much to the pleasure of their coach Callie Budweg.

“I was very proud of the way the girls played in the second,” she said. “Our defense was good, and we battled well against a very good Calumet team.”

A tip by Calumet’s senior Krista Keranen put the Copper Kings within two at 21-19. However, a few volleys later a dump by Hancock made it 22-20. Then an ace by Calumet’s Marybeth Halonen tied the match at 23-23. Halonen would have four aces on the night. Back and forth action followed and it was tied at 24 when Calumet came through with two at the end to win 26-24.

“If we can play and battle like we did in the second set, we will be able to compete with anybody,” Budweg said.

However the momentum of the Bulldogs second set went flat in the third set. Calumet’s Halonen had an impressive 15-point service run that stymied the Bulldogs. As well the Copper Kings played strong on defense. In short it was hard to get anything by them.

“Mental errors are our biggest problem, and that is when the troubles start,” Budweg said. “The momentum shifts and we dig ourselves into a hole. Tonight was a good lesson for or juniors and seniors to step up and lead.”

With the loss, the Bulldogs fall to 2-2 on the season.