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Gladstone beats Manistique

Manistique's Abby Burnham (9) sets the ball up for one of her teammates during the second set against Gladstone Thursday at Gladstone. (Photo by Avery Bundgaard, Escanaba Daily Press)

GLADSTONE — The Gladstone volleyball team showed resiliency Thursday as it put together big runs to come from behind in all three sets to take down Manistique 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-23).

“To be honest this is probably one of the best games we played all season,” said Gladstone coach Mariah Yonker. “I know Manistique has been doing really well in the conference. With them coming at us and knowing they thought they were coming in to really win and we used that against them.”

In an earlier meeting this season, Manistique pulled out a 3-2 victory on its home court.

The Emeralds came out right away ready to play in the first set taking a 9-3 lead and looking like it was ready to spoil Gladstone’s senior night.

“We have been coming out fast our last few games which is good because you want to keep a consistent emotion throughout the game,” said Manistique coach Amy Nixon. “I felt like we did that and we weathered the storm when their offense got hot and we stuck with them.”

The Braves responded well after a timeout to score eight unanswered points and take an 11-9 lead. It was all Gladstone after that as it scored seven of the last eight points to take the first set 25-16.

The Braves jumped out to an early lead with a 7-2 advantage in the second set. The Emeralds then rattled off six straight points to take a one point lead. Manistique would take a 23-20 lead and was on the brink of victory until Gladstone scored the last five points to take the 25-23 second-set victory.

Manistique built an 8-3 lead early in the third set, but Gladstone would crawl back into the game and keep it close until it scored 10 of the next 11 points to take a 21-16 lead late.

The Emeralds weren’t done as they scored five straight points to tie the game at 21. Both teams fought hard from there trying to get the win but it was the Braves that came out on top for the 25-23 third-set victory.

“I think it says a lot that we’re resilient and we didn’t give up,” said Nixon. “We’re going to fight to the finish. It gives me a positive outlook on our postseason that we’re not going let a team get on us and keep us down. We’re always going to be fighting the whole match.”

Kaitlyn Hardwick had a big night for the Braves with nine kills and six digs.

“Kaitlyn really stood out to me today,” said Yonker. “She had a lot of really good hits and some blocks.

“She’s very valuable in the back row for us as well.”

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