Lake Linden-Hubbell's Ashlyn Steves (center) bumps a ball from the back row in a match against Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Thursday in Lake Linden. With her are teammates Cleo Milkey (left) and Eve Petaja (far right). (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

LAKE LINDEN — The Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes ended their regular season on a winning note Thursday with a sweep of the Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Blue Bolts, 25-21, 26-24 and 25-20.

The win evened the score with Dollar Bay. The Blue Bolts won the first match against the Lakes in September, 3-2.

“We came out strong and were consistent throughout this one,” stated Lakes coach Joslynn Perala. “We had good energy.”

That energy was evident in the first set as the Lakes took an early 7-5 lead. That morphed into a 15-10 advantage with Ella Schneiderhan at the service line.

Teammate Addeline Schmidt made it 20-15 with her strong service. The Lakes went on to score five more and win this one 25-21.

In the second set, these two rivals were tied more than 10 times. After ties at five, 14 and 16, it was knotted at 20, 21, 23 and 24. While the Blue Bolts stayed at 24 the Lakes went on to win the final two points and a 26-24 victory.

The third set was all Lakes. Ashlyn Steves posted a service run of five and moved the Lakes to a 13-5 advantage. Teammate Cleo Milkey served up two aces at points 22 and 23 and the Lakes won this one 25-23.

In the eyes of the coach Perala, Milkey earned a game ball with 12 kills and 11 digs in the season finale.

Milkey was one of five seniors the Lakes honored in front of a crowded gym. Joining her were teammates Pelli Fortin, Isabella Tampas, Eve Petaja and Hailey Crouch.

With the win, the Lakes closed out the 2025 season at 20-5. The Blue Bolts finished at 19-12.

“We knew it was going to be a back-and-forth game tonight,” said Blue Bolts coach Kristi Bellmore. “Our focus is on playoffs and that begins next week.”

Up next

The Blue Bolts are scheduled to play the L’Anse Purple Hornets on Monday in Division 4 District 98 first-round play. The winner of that game will face the Lakes on Wednesday in Lake Linden.