FIELD TWP — The North Woods Grizzlies got their revenge and then some last Thursday, surviving a rollercoaster five-set battle against the Greenway Raiders to notch one of their biggest wins of the season.
This one was personal.
Greenway had handed the Grizzlies their only loss of the year back on Sept. 6 in the Raiders’ home tournament, taking that match 2-1. So, when the Raiders rolled into the North Woods gym, the Grizzlies were ready to return the favor – but it didn’t come easy.
Greenway came out swinging, taking the first set 25-21. North Woods answered back in set two with a convincing 25-17 win, only to fall again in set three, 25-19, putting them on the brink of another match loss.
But the Grizzlies refused to fold. They clawed their way to a narrow 25-23 win in set four and capped off the comeback with a gutsy 15-13 win in the decisive fifth set.
Setter Carsyn Burnett was the engine behind the Grizzlies’ attack, racking up a whopping 34 assists on the night.
Senior hitter Izzy Pascuzzi delivered a monster performance at the net, pounding out 22 kills and adding a block for good measure. Lauren Burnett added another 18 kills to the tally, keeping the Raiders’ defense on its heels.
Brittin Lappi chipped in with 7 kills and a block, while Brynn Chosa contributed 10 assists and 3 kills in the effort.
With the 3-2 win, North Woods not only avenged their earlier loss but sent a message to the section that the Grizzlies know how to dig deep and finish strong.

Cherry
The Grizzlies made quick work of the Tigers on Tuesday night in Cherry, sweeping the home team in straight sets, 25-18, 25-11, and 25-13.
Setter Carsyn Burnett kept the offense humming with 25 assists, while Pascuzzi led at the net with 12 kills. Lappi powered down ten kills and added five blocks, and Lauren Burnett chipped in 10 kills.