GWINN — Gwinn prevailed over Gladstone in four sets at a high school volleyball match held Thursday evening.

The Modeltowners won 20-25, 25-13, 25-14, 25-18 as Gwinn improved to 15-7-2 overall and 3-1 in the Mid-Peninsula Conference. GHS is also 4-0 in the West PAC.

Gwinn coach Toni Roberts was a bit perplexed at her team’s slow start, but just as happy at overcoming it.

“Our first game started in a lull,” she said. “We were not doing bad things, but we were having a hard time getting our systems working. Our defense was behind the ball, and our offense wasn’t finishing enough plays.

“Games 2-4 we changed things up. We rotated our lineup and the girls started being more aggressive and taking care of the ball. Our defense started to move their feet and the girls picked up their energy and effort.

“We had a great night serving as well, with 19 aces on only five errors. We were able to make a lot of good runs off of our serves.”

Emily Curtice led Gwinn with 16 kills, six aces, 20 digs and six assists, while Emily Mannor added six kills with just one error.

In addition, Megan Ruokolainen also had six kills, 12 digs an ace and a block, while Marissa Delmont had seven kills, 33 set assists, two aces, 15 digs and a block. Halle Beauchamp added five kills, three aces and two blocks, while Tianna Taylor had four kills, six aces, nine digs and a block.

“Emily Curtice had the best night of her career,” her coach said. “She put up some outstanding numbers and lead the team offensively, defensively and in serving. She really showed … why she was named to the All-American … watch list. She worked hard tonight and played smart.

“Emily Mannor had a big night offensively as well, she has been out for a couple weeks for medical reasons and she came out tonight in a big way…. She makes the most of her time on the court, every single time she is out there.

“Megan and Marissa are a really dynamic duo on the right side for our team. They work together flawlessly and do a great job running our court. They both also put up big defense and offense numbers.

“Every girl on our team got good playing time tonight, and everyone had at least one good stat.

“It feels like things are starting to come together for us as a team and we are hoping to peak for (the) postseason.”

Curtice was also presented a national award before the match as a Senior All-American To Watch list. She was presented with a plaque, as was Roberts for her national 2018 High School 30 Under 30 coach honor.

Gwinn, whose JV also won in two sets, will be at the Northern Michigan University High School Invitational on Saturday morning.

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Manistique 3, Westwood 0

At Manistique, the Emeralds won 25-7, 25-12, 25-14 as Jeanni Chartier had seven aces and 10 kills, while Lenna Smith added seven kills and a block and Erin LaBar had 23 assists.

“We served real well, which I think helped a lot,” Emeralds coach Amy Nixon said. “I think we also did a good job hitting. We had very few errors.”

The Emeralds also won the JV match in two sets.

Manistique will be at the NMU High School Invitational on Saturday.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee with contributions from the Escanaba Daily Press. Email Brownlee at sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.