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Sports
By Patrick Browne
HANCOCK - The Lady Wykon volleyball players, along with Coach Konnor Bjorkman, knew their first match of the postseason tournament would be a challenge.
The Wykons had a bye in the first round of the District Playoff while their opponent, the Hancock Bulldogs, nabbed a first-round victory. The Bulldogs made quick work of their first round opponent, Ishpeming-Westwood, winning in three sets, 25–14, 25–8 and 25–10.
Being asked to play the Bulldogs, who entered the match with West Iron with 22 wins and only three losses on the season, Bjorkman knew her team would have to play their best.
Bjorkman brought a record which has hovered around .500 to the District Semi-Final. While the Wykons would be stretched to advance, West Iron had played inspired volleyball throughout the season and were hopeful for a tight match.
Unfortunately, the team dropped the match in three sets (25–14, 25–21 and 25–14) and was eliminated from the postseason.
“It was very apparent Hancock wanted the win more,” Bjorkman said. “We didn’t cover our hitters and lacked communication.”
Still, Bjorkman is optimistic for the team’s future.
“Overall we had a great season,” she said. “We moved up [in the standings] in our conference and I think, as we continue to develop our younger players, we’ll be there to compete against Hancock and Houghton.”