Local Sports

Bulldogs volleyball outpaces Gremlins in three

HANCOCK -- If Thursday’s volleyball match up between the Houghton Gremlins and the Hancock Bulldogs was a preview of the annual upcoming Copper Spike game, the advantage is clear. Hancock is the better team.

The Bulldogs dispatched the Gremlins in three sets, 25-18, 25 -16 and 25-10.

Except for a two-point lead to open the first set (5-3), the Gremlins trailed throughout the rivalry match. According to winning coach Brian Lamppa, the Bulldogs put together a complete package with very few errors.

"I liked how we served and blocked," he said. "We competed well and the energy was there throughout."

After the two teams tied at five, six, seven and eight in the first, the Bulldogs pushed out to a 15-10 lead and never looked back. With Chloe Bastian on the line, it became 17-10.

Tatum Sporalski was on the line for points 24 and 25.

Lamppa gave the game ball to Bastian for her prowess on defense.

Set two was much the same with a knot at points three, four and five. This time it was Lucy Biekkola who pushed the Bulldogs to a 10-5 advantage. The Bulldogs kept the pace and control at the line as Romey Koskela posted a run of three and a kill to make it 17-9 midway through the second. From there, Hancock did not look back.

According to Houghton coach Blaire Zenner, the Gremlins played well at times, but were inconsistent.

"We had too many errors," she said, "in particular miss serves. You cannot do that with a good team like Hancock."

By the third set, the Gremlins were worn out as a 10-7 Bulldogs lead turned into a 20-9 mismatch. According to Lamppa, that is they way it should be

"Our best set was the third," he said. "I liked how we put them away. It is something we need to do every game."

Up next

The Gremlins will welcome the Calumet Copper Kings to their gym Tuesday. That same day, Hancock will travel to Gwinn for a matchup.