Forest Park libero Gina Graff moves in to take a shot during the Lady Trojans’ match with Carney-Nadeau Aug. 21. Teammates nearby (from left) are Kendra Campbell, Lexi Gussert, Mindy DeNell, Maria Stankewicz and Abby Sommers.
CRYSTAL FALLS—The home fans saw Forest Park’s volleyball team for the first time Aug. 23 in a 3-0 win over Carney-Nadeau.
 The Lady Trojans seemed sharp in the first set but struggled at times after that. Scores: 25-11, 25-21, 25-11.

Appearances aren’t deceiving—Kylee Erickson, West Iron’s first singles starter, is a dedicated, intense athlete. Here she is during a recent match at Nelson Field.
IRON RIVER—Busy, busy week for West Iron’s girls tennis team. The schedule-maker had them scurrying to three dual matches and a tournament last week.
 And this week: Here comes another one, just like the other one.

With coaches watching closely in back, West Iron blockers open a hole for one of their backs during the scrimmage with Forest Park at Nelson Field Aug. 17.
IRON RIVER—Time will tell, of course, but West Iron’s football team looked ready for the new season during its scrimmage at Nelson Field Aug. 17.
 The Wykons crashed pads with Forest Park and Florence for about two hours. This Saturday, Aug. 25, it’s all for keeps, when the Wykons battle Pittsford at St. Ignace.
 “We had a lot of positives,” Coach Mike Berutti said afterwards. “The best part is going live, getting the intensity up, we find a lot of things we need to work on for next week.

A Trojan back heads upfield after turning the corner on a Wykon defender at last week’s scrimmage. The Trojans host Bark River-Harris at home this Friday, Aug. 24.
CRYSTAL FALLS—Team members were probably disappointed last Monday when Forest Park announced that it wouldn’t—couldn’t—field a JV football squad this year due to lack of young players.
 By Friday’s scrimmage in Iron River, they had put it behind them and were focused on the guys in the blue and green shirts across from them—the West Iron and Florence players.

Forest Park’s returning volleyball letter-winners are (from left) Maria DeMuri, Abby Sommers, Lexi Gussert, Mindy DeNell, Kendra Campbell and Gina Graff.
CRYSTAL FALLS—Each year, Coach Kim Bjork has a tough task in front of her. This fall’s challenge is one of the hardest: How can Forest Park possibly match last year’s volleyball season, let alone top it?
 The Lady Trojans, after all, won their district, won their regional, won in the quarterfinals and went all the way to the state Class D semifinals in Battle Creek.
 Grads gone: Trouble is, four of last year’s starters have graduated: Audrey Sholander, Tanner Bartczak, Ana Cornelia and Kaitlin Shamion. “They were our core,” said their coach.