“I was impressed in our performance for our first game,” said third-year Bulldogs’ head coach Heather Haataja. “We were a little timid at times, but that is to be expected. We’ll call it opening-night jitters.”

The key to Hancock’s victories in all three sets were their serves. In short, they put the ball into play, and Chassell struggled to receive it. “Our serving was right on, and that was good to see,” said Haataja. “We had a lot of aces tonight.”

To be exact, an impressive 28 of Hancock’s 75 points were aces. Ellie Heinonen led the charge with seven. Brooke Koskela served up six, and Cassie Pietila had five aces.

When the Panthers were able to get a return on a serve, they struggled to set up their offense.

Chassell's Kierah Hietala sets the ball on Tuesday in the Panthers' game against the Hancock Bulldogs.

In the first set, the Bulldogs jumped out to a 15-7 lead and never looked back. Ellie Heinonen closed out the set with a service run of four and a 25-12 win.

The second set was equally dominated by the Bulldogs. Koskela opened the set with back-to-back aces en route to a seven-point service run. Emily Kilpela added a run of four, and Isabella Hebert would finish the set off at 25-12. Hebert led the Bulldogs with four kills on the night. Kaisa Salani and Morgan Pietila both followed with three.

“We were flat-footed and not communicating well,” noted Chassell’s first-year coach Carly Goddard. “We played better in our first game against Lake Linden. The girls need to talk on the court better.”

Goddard added that she thought Chassell’s third set was its best. The team posted a 5-2 opening lead which became a 10-6 tilt a few serves later. It was their biggest lead of the night.

“We got the ball moving and were able to settle into our offense a little,” Goddard related.

Chassell's Kylee Sohlden serves one up Tuesday in her team's games against the Hancock Bulldogs.

However, with strong services by Hebert and Heinonen the Bulldogs were able to tie it at 12 and then move it to a 20-14 lead and an eventual 25-17 win.

“In the third, everyone got to play,” noted Haataja and that was good to see. Tonight was a good measurement of where we are at.”

The Bulldogs will face the Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes Thursday at home. Game to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Hancock's Mary Kilpela (left) and Eva Heinonen (center) prepare to receive a serve from the Chassell Panthers on Tuesday.

The Hancock Bulldogs celebrate a point well earned on the volleyball court on Tuesday in Chassell.

Hancock's Brooke Koskela readies to serve in the Bulldogs match against the Chassell Panthers on Tuesday.