The Hematites prevailed 25-14, 25-14, 25-20 at E.L. Miller Gymnasium after beating North Central and improving to 15-11. Gwinn slipped to 1-21-1 as it looks at the MHSAA Division 3 district tournament next week.

“I think everybody on my team came to play,” Ishpeming head coach Katherine Beerling said. “There were moments that we kind of let up, but when push came to shove, we were ready to go and we were fighting in there.

“I think they did a good job of keeping the control on our side. You know, it was Gwinn’s Senior Night, a very emotional night, so they had a lot to defend, and I’m proud of my girls for coming out, showing up.”

After the match, Modeltowners head coach Jessica Stansky declined to comment.

Ishpeming players give each other high-fives after winning a point and solidifying their lead in the second set of a West PAC volleyball match played against Gwinn at the Modeltowners’ E.L. Miller Gymnasium on Tuesday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

The Modeltowners opened with jump in their steps, keeping the first set close early on. The teams traded points, making it 7-7 before Ishpeming’s offense ignited to make it 11-7 after a timeout.

The Hematites then took command, widening that lead to 18-9 and eventually finishing off the set with several strong kills by Janessa Eagle, who was a force at the net throughout the night.

In the second set, Ishpeming kept its momentum, forcing Gwinn into an early timeout as the Hematites took an 8-3 lead. IHS kept up the pressure, extending the lead to 11-5 with a series of well-placed serves and a powerful strike from Janelle Seelen.

Gwinn struggled to stay consistent as Ishpeming rolled up another double-digit margin of victory.

In the third set, the Modeltowners showed resilience, clawing back to tie it at 12-12 after falling behind early. The Hematites, however, regained control, as Nora Jo Anderson delivered a key point on a spike to give them a 21-18 advantage. Gwinn made a final push, but Ishpeming’s consistent play closed out the set and the match victory.

Tuesday’s combatants are in separated Division 3 district tourneys, though both open play Monday night in the quarterfinal round.

Ishpeming hosts West Iron County at 6 p.m. Monday, with a Wednesday date to follow against Upper Peninsula No. 1 Calumet for the winner.

Westwood is on the other side of the bracket, playing at Ironwood at 7 p.m. EST Monday, with that winner going to Jeffers at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The district title match is at 6 p.m. Friday, possibly at Ishpeming.

Gwinn goes on the road Monday to face Bark River-Harris at 7 p.m. EST, with the victor going to Iron Mountain at 7 p.m. EST Wednesday. That district finale is tentatively set for 7 p.m. EST Thursday, likely at Manistique or Menominee.

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.