North Central best Superior Central in four sets

North Central senior Haylee Gatien (13, in black) attempts to make a play at the net against Superior Central junior Marissa Strom (12, in blue) during a Skyline Central Conference volleyball match on Sept. 17, 2024 at North Central High School. (Adam Hinch/Daily Press)

SPALDING — A good night at the service line was key for North Central volleyball as it defeated superior Central in four sets, (18-25, 25-18, 25-14, 25-22).

The third set was the turning point for North Central as senior Morgan Fazer had an eight-point run to start the third set. “I love serving. It’s one of my favorite spots on the court,” Fazer said. “This win means the absolute world to us after a tough last couple of seasons. It feels good to see it come together.”

The Cougars cut the deficit to 10-4 on a kill by freshman Kylie Stuer who had 16 kills on the night.

“I didn’t feel like I had that good of a night,” Stuer said. “We didn’t have our energy level where we needed it to be and they took advantage of it.”

The Jets rolled off four more points to go up 14-4 and then had another four-point run highlighted by an ace by senior Madalynn Corrigan to extend the lead to 18-8. “We did a very good job with our serves tonight,” Jets coach Rick Mick said. “We also did a good job of not getting down after we lost the first set. That is something we have done in the past. It’s nice to see that we are growing in that area.”

The Jets had their lead cut back to seven at 20-13 but then quickly ran off five of the next six points to win the set.

The fourth set went back and forth with each team delivering blows. The Cougars were tied at four when Stuer delivered a pair of massive kills to put the Cougars up 6-4. “We didn’t have the energy we normally do,” Cougars coach Kris Bray said. “We know we can play better than we did tonight and we have to work on that as the season goes on.”

The Jets had a three-point run with another ace by Corrigan to tie the set at eight all. The game was tied at 14 all when Stuer registered another pair of kills and scored five of six points to put the Cougars up 19-15. The Jets continued to fight back and tie the game at 21. The Cougars took the lead back at 22-21 but the Jets ran off four straight points including a kill by senior Mariah Gorzinski that gave the Jets the win.

“We went through the same things that Superior Central went through tonight,” Mick said. “We have gotten behind and panicked and made plays that hurt ourselves. I was really proud of how the girls responded in the fourth set, being down and playing from behind to win something we have had trouble with in the past.”

Hailey Gatien led the way for the Jets tonight with 14 digs, nine kills, three blocks and two aces.

The Jets and Cougars both return to action on Thursday as The Cougars travel to Bark River-Harris and the Jets host North Dickinson.