Hatchets Edge Rockets in Two Tight Sets at Reese
REESE, Mich. — The Reese Rockets and Bad Axe Hatchets battled through two extremely competitive sets Monday night, with Bad Axe ultimately coming away with a hard-fought straight-set victory over Reese.
The Hatchets won the opening set 26-24 before closing out the match with a 25-23 victory in the second set. Despite the straight-set result, the final scores tell the story of just how closely contested the match was.
Rockets Battle Back in Opening Set
The first set featured plenty of momentum swings as Reese and Bad Axe traded points throughout the frame.
Neither team was able to pull away for long, and the Rockets continued to battle as the score climbed into the 20s. Reese fought to keep the set within reach, but Bad Axe managed to make the plays it needed late.
With the set tied deep into the closing points, the Hatchets eventually finished off the opening frame 26-24, taking a 1-0 lead in the match.
Bad Axe Holds Off Reese in Set Two
The second set was every bit as competitive.
Reese came out determined to even the match, and the Rockets stayed within striking distance throughout the set. Once again, neither team could establish a commanding advantage, creating another tense finish.
With the score approaching the final points, Reese continued to fight, but Bad Axe held its composure and secured the final points to win 25-23.
The victory gave the Hatchets a 2-0 match win.
A Match Decided by the Final Points
While Bad Axe swept the match, Reese showed plenty of fight. The Rockets lost the two sets by a combined four points, a clear indication that a few crucial plays late in each set made the difference.
For Bad Axe, the ability to execute under pressure proved to be the difference. The Hatchets made enough plays down the stretch to turn two close sets into a straight-set victory.
For Reese, the match provided valuable experience in close-set situations. The Rockets will look to use the lessons from Monday's contest as they continue through the 2026 season.
Final Match Result:
Set 1: Bad Axe 26, Reese 24
Set 2: Bad Axe 25, Reese 23
Match: Bad Axe wins 2-0
The Rockets may not have gotten the result they wanted, but their performance showed that they can compete with the Hatchets point-for-point. With several more matches ahead, Reese will have plenty of opportunities to turn those close finishes into victories.
