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Sports
By Patrick Browne
IRON RIVER/CRYSTAL FALLS — Both the West Iron Lady Wykons and the Forest Park Lady Trojans were victorious in their first home volleyball matches of the season. The Wykons opened their season on Aug. 23 by beating the Ishpeming Hematites 3–2 in a thrilling back and forth match which saw the gritty Wykons battle to the finish. The Trojans easily handled the Norway Knights in three games on Aug. 22.
Coach Konnor Bjorkman of West Iron had her team ready to play and well conditioned for the grueling match, which lasted more than an hour and a half.
“We jived really well as a team tonight and our unforced errors were minimal in four of the five games,” she said.
After dropping the opening game 25–21, West Iron stayed focused and won game two 25–20, game three 25–21 and the final game 17–15. Lead changes were abundant and if not for the hustling, never-surrendering Wykons’ Rowyn Fiszer, who seemed to be everywhere on the court, the Wykons may not have escaped with the win.
The Forest Park Trojans under Coach Bobbie Jo Anderson started their season with a resounding victory in three games over Norway, 25–4, 25–3 and 25–4.
“The girls came out with a ton of energy and played aggressive from the start,” Anderson said. “They executed our game plan and controlled the momentum all game.”
Ema Stepien had seven aces while sophomore Ava Fischer led the team in kills.
As school begins and the fall athletic season gets underway, it is clear both the Wykons and Trojans have solid teams with strong coaches. Both teams were ready to start the season and both gave their energetic fan sections reason to cheer.