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Bulldogs volleyball stays Copper Strong

Shuts down Gremlins’ attack for win

By Eddie O'Neill 3 min read
The Hancock volleyball team poses in the Houghton High School Gym after winning the Copper Spike Thursday night. The Bulldogs are Chloe Bastian, Zoey Benda, Briell L’Esperance, Bria Koski, Azura Aho, Jenae Koski, Jana Pietila, Alena Pietila, Lucy Biekkola, Vaeda Brooks, Savannah Kangas, Romey Koskela, Tatum Sporalski, and Iriina Aho. They are coached by Brian Lamppa, Abby Brooks, and Taylor Paul. (Eddie O’Neill/For the Gazette)

HOUGHTON -- The Houghton High School gym was the place to be Thursday for the annual Copper Spike volleyball game that pits the Houghton Gremlins against the Hancock Bulldogs for bragging rights.

For Hancock coach Brian Lamppa, he has not know a time when the Copper Spike trophy has not been a part of the Bulldogs' trophy case. In short, he is 3-for-3 in winning this one as the volleyball coach. The Bulldogs downed the Gremlins this year with scores of 25-18, 25-17 and 25-18.

"I liked how we covered the floor and didn’t get rattled when things were not going our way," he said. "We did what we needed to do as we controlled our side of the net. We took care of our side of the net and played good volleyball."

This included some big blocks and some great serves by the Bulldogs. One of these top serves was the first one of the game by Tatum Sporalski. She opened the first set with an ace and went on to put up a service run of five that set the tone.

While the Gremlins got within one at 7-8 that is as close as they got. A Hancock 14-10 advantage turned into a 20-10 lead courtesy of two more aces by Sporalski. The Bulldogs earned the set win.

Houghton’s best set was the second as they took both a 9-5 and an 11-7 lead to open. However, they could not sustain it as the Bulldogs rallied to tie it at 11.

Then came a service run of six posted by Hancock’s Alena Pietila to push the score to 17-12. While the Bulldogs scored eight more points, the Gremlins only posted five. With another set win, the Bulldogs led two sets to zero.

The third set was similar to the first with Sporalski opening with an ace and the Bulldogs jumping out to a 6-2 lead. While the Gremlins got within one at 5-6, 10-11 and 12-13, they could not topple the Bulldogs.

A service run of five by Hancock’s Romey Koskela put her team up by six at 20-14. They then sprinted to the set and match win.

"This was very much a team win," said Lamppa. "Everyone played well. The game ball goes to the team."

Up next

The volleyball regular season will wrap up next week with Houghton (14-13-1) closing out their season on the road Tuesday at West Iron County. The Bulldogs (25-2) will welcome the Calumet Copper Kings that same night.

Starting at /week.