Clearbrook-Gonvick at Win-E-Mac

Recap

VB Win-E-Mac 3 Clearbrook-Gonvick 2 (25-23, 24-26, 25-19, 9-25, 19-17)

Erskine, MN — The Win-E-Mac Patriots outlasted the Clearbrook-Gonvick Bears in a five-set thriller Thursday afternoon, picking up their first victory of the season.

In the opening set, Win-E-Mac trailed 15-7 and looked in danger of letting the game slip away. But nine service errors by Clearbrook-Gonvick kept the Patriots within striking distance, and they capitalized with an 11-2 run to close out a 25-23 comeback win.

Set two was another back-and-forth battle, but this time it was the Bears who held on late, edging the Patriots 26-24 to even the match. The third set featured 13 ties, but Win-E-Mac strung together a decisive 7-2 run down the stretch to take it 25-19 and move within a set of victory.

With their backs against the wall, Clearbrook-Gonvick dominated the fourth set from start to finish, cruising to a 25-9 win to force a decisive fifth. The Bears carried that momentum into the final frame, building an 11-5 lead before Win-E-Mac clawed back with a 4-1 burst, narrowing the gap to 12-9. Both teams traded points — and match-point opportunities — in a tense finish. Ultimately, the Patriots dug deep, scoring the final three points to seal a 19-17 victory.

The win gives Win-E-Mac a 1-0 start, already matching last year’s win total. The Patriots will host Red Lake County Central next Tuesday. Clearbrook-Gonvick falls to 0-2 and will look to bounce back at home against Bagley, also on Tuesday.