<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=28zzcy_0vL9HdNr00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=28zzcy_0vL9HdNr00" width="650" height="488" ><figcaption>Frankfort played host to Bear Lake on Sept. 4 for an intense volleyball game at Frankfort High School. (Nick Cooper/News Advocate) </figcaption></figure> FRANKFORT — <a href="https://www.manisteenews.com/sports/article/bear-lake-girls-volleyball-prepares-start-season-19631312.php" rel="nofollow"> Bear Lake </a> traveled to <a href="https://www.recordpatriot.com/sports/article/frankfort-volleyball-looks-capture-northwest-19631371.php" rel="nofollow"> Frankfort </a> for a high-energy volleyball contest on Sept. 4. In an electric atmosphere, Frankfort's experience proved to be too much for the Lakers. The Panthers walked away victorious, 25-13, 25-23, 25-16. Frankfort's aggressiveness at the net and blocking the opponents' attempts was key in the Panthers' success. "Ella Newbold had some really strong kills on the right side. She had a great night. Alice Luther was very strong with her serving and setting," said Frankfort head volleyball coach <a href="https://www.recordpatriot.com/sports/article/frankfort-elementary-offers-after-school-19385586.php" rel="nofollow"> Becky Miller </a> . Many <a href="https://bllakers.org/index.php/athletics/" rel="nofollow"> Bear Lake </a> students and parents made the trek to <a href="https://www.frankfort.k12.mi.us/high-school/calendar" rel="nofollow"> Frankfort, </a> making for a loud and energetic atmosphere. After winning the first of three games, Frankfort found themselves involved in a spirited back-and-fourth second game. For a majority of the game, Bear Lake was able to keep pace at the net, either blocking the Panthers' attack or spiking the ball into Frankfort territory. The Lakers' celebratory huddle after each point they scored was met with overwhelming cheers from the well-traveled Bear Lake fans. "I believe the game went very well. There are still things to tweak and improve on for later in the season. I feel that everyone had some pre-game nerves and couldn't quite brush them off. But there is tons of talent on the team and we haven't quite showed it off yet," said Bear Lake player Paige Willman. Bear Lake has played well early in the season going 2-6. The Lakers' two wins are more than every season since 2020 combined. The Lakers' growing success and confidence is part of a <a href="https://www.manisteenews.com/sports/article/bear-lake-girls-volleyball-prepares-start-season-19631312.php" rel="nofollow"> culture that Bear Lake head coach Jenn Sterling is hoping to build. </a> "The program is on the right track now. Creating a culture does not happen overnight, but after a year of a ton of hard work and a handful of the girls really putting in the effort, we are finally in the right direction," said Sterling in a preseason interview. Sterling has kept close track of her team and on Wednesday&nbsp;was impressed with multiple Lakers. "I would say Lanessa Ware, 3, junior, libero had very tough serving and dug the ball well. (Our) biggest hitter was Reagan&nbsp;Leiffers, junior, middle hitter. LilyAnne Artman, middle hitter junior, lead in blocks," said Sterling. Frankfort's game against Bear Lake was their first outside of a <a href="https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/frankfort/girls/varsity/volleyball/2024" rel="nofollow"> tournament-type atmosphere </a> . The Panthers participated in the Fremont Invitational on Aug. 24 at Fremont&nbsp;where they went 4-2, beating White Cloud, Muskegon Catholic Central, Howard City Tri-County and&nbsp;Holton. Frankfort then held the Frankfort Quad on Aug. 27 at Frankfort where the Panthers went 1-2 beating Marion while dropping matches against Mason County Central and&nbsp;McBain. The early season experience and the time put in appears to be at play with the Panthers' success against Bear Lake. Frankfort's next contest is against Mesick at 7 p.m. on Sept. 10. Bear Lake will travel to Baldwin with the contest starting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5. Official stats were not available for either team at the time of publication. </div></body>

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Photos: Frankfort volleyball proves too much for visiting Bear Lake

Bear Lake volleyball travels to Frankfort with spirited atmosphere and holds serve.