Calumet, Iron Mountain Advance To Regional Final

GLADSTONE---The Calumet Copper Kings and Iron Mountain Mountaineers won their Class C regional semifinal matches Tuesday night in Gladstone, and will face off in Thursday's evening's championship match at Gladstone High School.

In the first match, Calumet jumped off to a quick start against Manistique, taking the first two sets, 25-15 and 25-13.

But Manistique, having won its first-ever Mid Peninsula Conference and Class C District Championships, did not give up.

The Emeralds, behind a large and loud student section, rallied to win the third set, 25-15. And Manistique led the fourth set, 15-13, forcing a Calumet time out.

But after that break, the Copper Kings showed the experience that has sustained the team in these situations over the past few years.

Calumet broke an 18-18 tie with a 7-2 finish to win, 25-20.

In the second match, the Charlevoix Rayders from Lower Michigan got off to a good start against Iron Mountain. The Rayders took the first set, 25-17, and then won the second set, 25-21, to take control of the match.

But the Mountaineers got their wake-up call.

Iron Mountain stayed alive with a dominating 25-11 win in the third set. Then, in the fourth set, Iron Mountain squeeked by with a 25-23 win.

In the deciding fifth set, the Mountaineers led most of the way, and prevailed with a 15-12 clinching win.

And so it will be Calumet vs Iron Mountain for the Class C Regional Championship on Thursday in Gladstone.

The match will start at 5:30 ET/4:30 CT.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box to see more photos and videos from Tuesday's matches.