Baraga volleyball swings past Chassell
Panthers respond with sweep of Gladiators
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CHASSELL -- The Baraga Vikings volleyball team came out swinging Wednesday in a 3-0 sweep of the Chassell Panthers at the Ed Helakoski Gym. The Vikings won 25-13, 25-14 and 25-16.
It was a good first step on the new season, according to Baraga coach Corey Pietila, but she followed that up by saying there is always room to grow.
"I think we did more observing the other team play volleyball as opposed to anticipating the ball coming over the net," said Pietila. "I did like the fact, though, that our setters were getting the ball to all our hitters. We had few service errors."
One highlight for the Panthers was that they won the opening point in all three sets, but that is about as much of a lead that the girls had. In the opening set, the rivals were tied at seven before the Vikings took sail.
With Elisa Delene on the line for Baraga, the Vikings moved out to a 15-7 lead. Then an ace serve by Danica Jahfetson made it 18-10, and with Delene back on the line, the Vikings closed out the opener 25-13.
The second set was much the same with the Vikings being the quicker team again on the attack. A 9-6 lead for the Vikings morphed into a 15-6 one with senior Allyssa Holley at the line for the purple and gold.
"She gets the game ball," said Pietila. "She served well and had great energy overall as she kept her teammates engaged."
While the Vikings put the ball over with consistency, the Panthers struggled to put any runs together. They were one and done at the service line. The second set ended like the first at 25-14.
The third set was Chassell’s best as they kept the game close through the first 15 points. While Baraga led through the opening 10 points, it was only by one point. However 8-7 morphed into 12-9 and eventually a 15-10 Vikings lead. While the Vikings were able to push through with 10 more points, the Panthers only mustered six. This one ended 25-16.
Despite the loss, Panthers coach Kim Aho was pleased with the start. Among her squad’s leaders were Elli Kuntze with seven kills, seven digs, and one ace. Teammate Oriana Olson had seven kills, two blocks and five digs.
Ella Hermanson had two kills, one block and seven digs. Finally, Sylvia Aho had 12 assists, one block and two digs.
"I thought we hit the ball well," Kim Aho said, "and we passed fairly well. We need to work on fewer service errors, but this was a good start."
Chassell defeated Ontonagon Thursday
In a battle with the Ontonagon Gladiators Thursday, Chassell came away with a sweep. They won the first set 25-23, then stretched things a little in the second, 25-20, before closing strong in the third, 25-17.
Elli Kuntze had 18 kills, a block and nine digs. Sylvia Aho had 21 assists, seven digs, nine service points and two aces.
Olson had two kills, two blocks, 12 digs, and a pair of aces. Skye Isaacson had 10 service points, two aces, and six digs.
Up next
The Vikings will be home this weekend as they host the Baraga tournament on Saturday.