Negaunee’s Natalie Bell, front right, gets a solo block on Gwinn’s Tianna Taylor, also at the net, in the first set of their MHSAA Division 3 district volleyball championship match held at the Modeltowners’ gym on Thursday. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

IRON MOUNTAIN — An opponent with minimal flaws is a tough draw in tournament play. Iron Mountain hosted Mid-Peninsula Conference powerhouse Manistique in a Division 3 District 67 semifinal volleyball match Wednesday night, with the Emeralds winning in three straight sets, 25-16, 25-13, 25-8.

Manistique had strong serving and front-row play throughout. Iron Mountain served well, but the Emeralds’ strong communication, consistent serving and enthusiastic play kept the Lady Mountaineers on their heels.

“We practice our serving to assure consistency; inconsistent serving gives points to the other team,” Manistique head coach Amy Nixon said. “Serving is a team’s first line of offense, so we strive for all of our girls to be able to serve well.”

Manistique took leads of 10-6 and 17-11 in the opening set behind the serving of Madison Zellar and Nora Cunningham.

Iron Mountain senior McKenna Smith was very strong at the net throughout the match. “(IM senior) McKenna (Smith) had to try to tangle with their (Manistique) No. 7 (Kayla Muth) and No. 10 (Ella Schuetter), who are both very good front row players, and No. 10 has to be 6-feet tall,” veteran Iron Mountain head coach Jeanne Newberry said. “Tonight was our best overall play at the net, as a team, for the whole season.”

In the second set, Manistique won three straight points to take an 11-6 advantage, though the Mountaineers hung tough, scoring on serving runs by Lulu McCash and Bella Rosenthal and prompting Nixon to call timeout with her team up just 18-15.

But IM continued its comeback, eventually tying it 22-22 on a Lily Verrette serve.

Zellar, who led the Emeralds with five aces and 17 digs, served Manistique to victory in the set.

In the final set, Manistique’s serving completely overwhelmed the host Mountaineers. The Emeralds, who are 14-1 on the season, communicated well throughout.

“Team chemistry is so important in the game of volleyball, if everyone is in it together, things usually don’t break down,” Nixon said. “All six players on the floor need to be in sync and we’re able to have that with each substitution. It really helps our communication be so good as well.”

Manistique also got 14 assists from Emma Jones, while Schuetter and Muth each had 11 kills, with Muth contributing two aces.