FELCH TOWNSHIP — It was senior night at the Carl F. Lemin Jr. Gymnasium on Thursday night for North Dickinson, as well as the regular season and Skyline Central Conference finale for both teams, as the host Nordics defeated Norway 3-0 (25-5, 25-9, 25-12).

The strong serving and net play of the Nordics overwhelmed the young and inexperienced Lady Knights, who finished the regular season without a set or match win. However, Norway gave ND a bit of a scare in the early stages of the final set.

“Norway has improved a great deal since we played them earlier in the season,” said North Dickinson head coach Taylor Johnson. “Our seniors played a bit relaxed at first in the final set, and Norway was very aggressive in the early going of that set.”

The Knights took brief leads in the final set, 8-7, and then again at 9-8.

VANESSA LINDHOLM

Johnson said the Nordics had “really good energy” in the first two sets. “We had a good night, we got everyone a lot of playing time,” she said.

Statistically, the Nordics were led in the serving department by seniors Vanessa Lindholm and Chrislyn Inglese, who each had four aces and 100% serving. Lily Depotie added a trio of aces and 100% serving for the Nordics.

Norway’s communication and floor awareness has gotten better during the season and it was evident Thursday night.

“The girls have been working hard, and it’s disappointing that the end result stays the same, but the girls have truly been working hard, and each one of them has improved at least one aspect of their game as the season has gone on,” said Norway coach Erika Harnden. “They impressed me tonight with the fight they gave in the last set.”

Harnden also pointed to the serving of Grace Schiltz and Victoria Cooper in the match.

The Knights begin MHSAA Division 4 district play on Monday at 6 p.m. when they host Hannahville, with the winner to host Carney-Nadeau on Wednesday, also at 6 p.m.

North Dickinson will begin district play on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Central time at Big Bay de Noc High School, as they will face the winner of Monday’s Munising versus Mid Peninsula match.