Grizzlies out on loss to Bluestreaks

CHISHOLM- The North Woods volleyball squad found the going tough last week at Chisholm, where the top-seeded and ninth-ranked Bluestreaks bounced the Grizzlies out of the Section 7A tourney with a 25-16, 25-13, 25-7 sweep.
The Grizzlies traded points with the Bluestreaks to open the match, drawing even at 5-5 on a Chisholm service error and a kill by Laurin Glass. Michaela Brunner added a kill to interrupt a Chisholm run, but the Bluestreaks began creating separation as North Woods struggled to contain Chisholm’s front row. The Bluestreaks stretched their advantage to 20-12 on the way to closing out the opening set.
The Grizzlies faced another early deficit in the second, falling behind 7-3 before Carsyn Burnett put down a kill to stop the run. But the Bluestreaks continued to roll, with Burnett and Brunner working at the net and Glass adding an ace for a three-point burst to narrow Chisholm’s lead to 16-9. But a 9-4 Chisholm run followed, handing North Woods their second loss of the night.
Chisholm took control immediately in the finale with a 6-0 start. LaNara Guenther recorded a kill to get North Woods on the board, but the Bluestreaks continued to dominate at the net, building a smothering 16-3 cushion and closing out the sweep.
It was a rebuilding year for the Grizzlies after graduating most of their top players from last year’s state tournament team, but the young squad fared well overall, nailing down a fourth seed for the tourney with section record of 13-6 and an overall record of 17-11. Ella Kruse has been the Grizzlies’ senior leader and played her last match in a North Woods jersey, but the rest of the team will be back for a strong run next year.