The Baraga volleyball team congratulates each other on a point well-earned Monday in a Division 4 District 98 quarterfinal match against Chassell in Baraga. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

BARAGA — High school volleyball was in district-playoff mode across the state of Michigan on Monday. In Baraga, that meant the Baraga Vikings hosted the Chassell Panthers in Division 4 District 98 action. The Vikings ended the Panthers’ season with a 3-0 sweep.

The Vikings won 25-17, 25-13 and 25-14.

It was the second time these two rivals had met, and the result was the same.

“We played very well tonight,” said Vikings coach Corey Pietila. “We did the basics well, taking advantage of a lot of free balls.

“Our service was good too. We had just two service errors.”

With Baraga’s Danica Jahfetson serving, the Vikings sailed out to a 10-2 lead in the first and never looked back. With Maddy Holm on the line, the Vikings led by eight at 20-12 and went on to win the set.

The second set was much the same. With Lilly Tapani on the line, an 11-2 early lead morphed into a 15-4 difference for Baraga. Teammate Adrianna Kyllonen was on the line for points 23, 24 and 25.

The third set was Chassell’s best. They took brief leads at 7-5 and 9-8 before the Vikings tied it at nine and kept up consistent play.

Jahfetson again posted a strong service run of six and the Baraga squad led 18-12. The Vikings posted seven more points and kept the Panthers to just two for the set and match win.

Pietila said the game ball goes to junior Elisa Delene.

“She did everything right,” she said with a smile.

Despite the loss, Chassell’s coach Kim Aho said it was a good season. They finished at 11-11.

“More wins than we had last year,” she stated. “I am very proud of the girls. They worked hard and did not give up.

“We battled hard all season.”

For the Panthers, Dusty Lippold had seven kills to lead the team, along with four digs and an ace. Elli Kuntze had six kills, five blocks, and one ace.

Sylvia Aho racked up 14 assists, four digs and one ace.

Up next

The Vikings (18-8) will face the Hancock Bulldogs for a District 98 semifinal game Wednesday in Hancock. Opening serve is set for 6 p.m.