Marquette’s Lauren Wilkinson, front left, spikes the ball against Escanaba in a nonconference volleyball match between the two Great Northern Conference teams on Tuesday night. Wilkinson had 12 kills, but the host Eskymos topped the Redettes in four sets. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Mike Mattson)

ESCANABA — The Escanaba and Marquette volleyball teams had the same objective Tuesday night — play solidly and build some momentum for next week’s MHSAA district tournaments.

The Eskymos relied on an aggressive attack and defeated the visiting Redettes in four sets, 25-22, 8-25, 27-25, 25-20.

“We are focusing on the postseason,” Esky coach Adam Lambert said. “Some people said we don’t have to try hard in this game because it’s already a done deal. That’s not what my team is. My team has to come out and play hard all the time.”

The match did not count in the Great Northern Conference standings. The GNC has already been decided with Sault Ste. Marie and Esky, which won the GNC tournament, sharing the title.

Tuesday’s match featured intense play by both teams as they head into districts. Marquette travels to Petoskey for a Class A tournament opener on Tuesday night.

“Marquette brought a game tonight,” Lambert said. “I told their coach between one of the sets that it was enjoyable to watch the girls hit. They were really setting well and hitting very well.

“As a coach you want to just bump, set, kill, but there was a a lot of great volleys back and forth.”

Marquette coach Mike Morgan said his team battled, but Esky’s aggressiveness was the difference.

“Both teams really played hard,” Morgan said. “It was really good volleyball. I liked the long rallies. The kids were laying out on the court to keep the ball in play. You can’t ask for more than that.

“We know (Petoskey) will come out and swing aggressively. They are big, but we can play with them. We just have to be more aggressive. That’s been our downfall all year. Instead of making the aggressive play, we make the safe play.

“Escanaba makes the aggressive plays. We did a great job keeping the ball in play, but if you keep allowing them to make aggressive plays when you are giving them free balls, the outcome usually isn’t good.”

Esky won a competitive first set 25-22, but the Redettes dominated the second 25-8.

The third set featured some strong play from both teams. Esky led 19-12, but Marquette rallied to tie it at 25-25. Esky prevailed by scoring the last two points.

The Eskymos fed off the emotion of that win and finished off the Redettes in the third set 25-20. Marquette trailed 20-13 and battled to the end.

Esky received a solid night from junior Lexi Chaillier with 10 kills, followed by Savannah Barron with five kills and Kaliea Lawrence with three assists and 15 assists.

“Before the game I said (to Chaillier), ‘I need 10 kills out of you tonight’ and she performed,” Lambert said. “She had a lot of fun.”

Marquette’s Lauren Wilkinson had 12 kills and a block, Aspen Michelin four aces, Chloe Hale 30 assists and Mikaila Graham 28 digs.

Escanaba also defeated Marquette in the JV match 25-12, 24-26, 28-26.