Playing on their home court in a Division 4 district championship game Friday, the Munising High School volleyball team didn’t want to let a memorable opportunity pass them by.

The Mustangs were hosting Big Bay de Noc, looking for their first district crown since 2018, and they managed to get the job done in straight sets, 25-14, 25-19 and 25-4.

“Proud is an understatement when talking about this group of athletes,” head coach Josh Cole said. “We had sort of a roller coaster early to mid-October with some injuries and such. We were able to find our stride right at the end of the season, and that is a testament to these athletes’ mindset and toughness. Everyone’s effort was great. Our four main hitters all hit super consistent and had four or more kills on the night.”

The Mustangs began the match with a five-point service run by Dayne Behning to give them a 5-0 lead. They fell behind 9-7, but a seven-point service run from Carissa Deatsman helped send them back in front at 19-11. Behning was able to close out the set with another five-point service run.

Munising served well during the match, and Cole said that was certainly by design coming in.

“Serving was our main focus going into the final,” he said. “We felt confident we could win that serve versus serve-receive battle. The girls really locked into the concept of serving tough as the night progressed.”

The Black Bears were able to take a 10-5 advantage in the second set, but Munising remained strong. The Mustangs rallied back in front to remain in control of the match.

“I thought we came out very unfocused to start the second set, and Big Bay took advantage of our hitting and serving errors,” Cole said. “I’m glad our defensive players — Olivia Cotey, Tamryn Nolan, Elizabeth Wing and Dayne Behning — are such tough kids and straight-up competitors.”

The third set was all Munising. Deatsman began the frame with six service points. Behning added two points, and Addie Bowerman and Sage Anderson had serving runs of seven and four points. Hayden Bayer wrapped up the match at the service line, serving for the final two points.

“Coaches were really happy for Hayden tonight,” Cole said. “She is a hard-working and talented volleyball player that would start on most teams around the U.P. It was a really special moment to watch her find success on the floor during the last few points of the night.”

The Mustangs had Bowerman finish with eight kills, four blocks and one ace. Behning finished with five kills, seven aces and 12 digs. Deatsman contributed 21 assists, four kills and five aces.

Two nights earlier, on Nov. 6, Munising won a district semifinal contest over Superior Central, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-17. (See the article at right for more details.)

This was the second time the teams had met in less than a week. The Mustangs also defeated the Cougars in their regular-season finale on Nov. 1.

Bowerman had a big game with 11 kills, six blocks and two aces, while Behning added four kills, five aces and 10 digs. Deatsman also had 20 assists, two aces and seven digs.

“We knew Superior Central was coming back this week ready to play,” Cole said. “Playing a team twice in about five days is always a challenge, as you know the team that loses that first one is coming back for revenge. Can’t say enough positive things about [SC head coach] Kris Bray and the Cougars. Year after year, they play their best volleyball at the end of seasons. They made us earn a win.”

While the Mustangs were able to come out on top in just three sets, it wasn’t exactly an easy victory. All three frames were close to about their midpoint, until Munising was able to close them out with steady play.

“Proud of the ladies,” Cole said. “They showed a lot of toughness when down early in sets. It’s not easy beating a team like Superior Central in a lose-and-go-home game.”

Munising took on fifth-ranked Crystal Falls Forest Park in Escanaba on Tuesday in a regional semifinal.

The regional final was held in Negaunee on Thursday, with the Munising-CFFP victor facing the winner of a match between Ewen- Trout Creek and Hancock.

The regional champion moves on to a state quarterfinal in Manistique on Tuesday.