Eskymos Bow Out In Volleyball Regional Semifinal

MANISTIQUE---It was fun while it lasted.

The Escanaba Eskymos volleyball playoff run came to an end Tuesday night as the sixth-ranked Kinglsey Stags rolled to a 3-0 win at Manistique High School in the Division Twi regional semifinals. The scores were 25-10, 25-20, and 25-12.

The Eskymos made it to the regionals after winning their first-ever district last week.

In Tuesday's match, Escanaba trailed, 14-10, before the Stags went on an 11-0 run to end the first set with the runaway win.

They were led by the powerful hitting of Austyn DeWeese, who has committed to play at Central Michigan University this fall.

"We were point for point in the first set until we reached 10, then we had some errors," Escanaba Coach Adam Lambert said. "When you start making errors against a team as good as they are, with rally scoring, they can rally-up theur score pretty quick. They tried to hold it together, but that first set really took the wind out."

"They were very strong," Escanaba senior libero Jalin Olson said of the Stags. "They were huge. Nothing like we've really seen before other than Marquette or the Soo, but they were definitely better than both those teams."

The Eskymos came out with some fire in the second set, led by the net play of junior Nicole Kamin and freshman Katelyn Stalboerger.

Escanaba led, 13-9, before Kingsley called a time out. The Stags, with senior Brittany Bowman getting three kills, went on a 10-2 run to ahead, 19-15, and they put the second set away after Escanaba closed to within 23-20.

"We had the momentum on our side and things were really good for us in that set," Lambert said. "They were able to come back and play with us, but it was a good set."

The third set was all Kingsley, and the Stags advanced to the regional championship match against Cadillac, which swept Clare Tuesday night, 3-0 (25-10, 25-9, 25-9).

"That third set, to be honest, I think it started setting in that we were 25 points away for our seniors to never play at this level of ball again," Lambert said. "But I've got to give it to my girls. What a season we had."

"One of the best on record ever in Escanaba. To play in regionals, against a team from downstate. I mean, they were tall, good blockers, good hitters. I'm so proud of these girls. It's been an awesome season."

"We played great this whole season," Olson said. "I think, honestly, playing as a team really helped us, and communicating. This is the first team that has ever been as close as any other volleyball team I've ever been on, and I think that really helped us to come this far. I am thankful for the group of seniors that I have on this team."

Escanaba was led offensively by Kamin's 14 kills. Olson had 12 digs on defense.

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos, and to hear comments from Lambert and Olson.