Houghton’s Brooke Pietila is ready to serve Wednesday in a match against Lake Linden-Hubbell in Calumet. (Eddie O’Neill/Daily Mining Gazette)

CALUMET — Both the high school and elementary school gyms in the Calumet School District were abuzz with the sounds of whistles blowing and volleyballs being served up and spiked down Wednesday.

Close to 10 JV and freshmen volleyball programs participated in the Calumet Invite. They included squads from Calumet, Hancock, Houghton, Dollar Bay-Tamarack City, Baraga, Jeffers, L’ Anse, Ironwood and Lake Linden-Hubbell.

It was a non-competitive format as teams battled for either 15 minutes or the first team to 25 points. For the coaches, the time to get their girls in uniform, on the court and in game situations was what the day was all about.

Just ask Olivia O’Dwyer, the new JV coach at Lake Linden-Hubbell.

“It is good to be here,” she stated. “The girls are excited, and I am excited to get this season going. They are making good judgements on the court and making improvements as we go along.”

Liz Constantini, coach of the Ironwood Red Devils’ JV team said the two-hour bus trip north to the Keweenaw was well worth it.

“This is our first time to really compete, and I like what I am seeing,” she said. “In particular, I like our service. When we serve well, we play well.

Houghton JV coach Anna Nolan echoed a similar sentiment while she took notes as the Gremlins battled the Lakes.

“We like having this first tournament, she explained. “It is good to get our feet wet and see where we are at. It is a good test before the season begins. I like that the girls are willing to try new things and not afraid to make mistakes.

“We do need to work on communication though, but better to know that now than next week when our season starts. That is why we are here.”