Warsaw Defeats NorthWood To Clinch A Piece Of NLC Title
September 30, 2022 at 1:53 a.m.
Warsaw Defeats NorthWood To Clinch A Piece Of NLC Title
By Connor McCann-
The team that would come out on top was Warsaw. The Tigers defeated the reigning conference champions 3-0 to secure at least a piece of its first conference championship since 2020.
“We’re peaking at the right time. These girls are gaining confidence and we are full steam ahead right now,” Head coach Chandra Hepler said. “A win like this just proves that to our players.”
Despite the Tigers taking all three sets, each game was anything but lopsided. NorthWood would strike first, getting the opening points of the first game. Warsaw would get back into it in a big way with a thundering kill from senior Kaylee Weeks. The teams would stick together early on, as neither team was able to take a lead greater than one or two points.
Warsaw’s first three-point lead came at 9-6, but the Panthers would quickly answer and tie the game at 10. High-level volleyball was on display for both sides, as players were lunging for digs, using one arm if necessary. Kills would make booming noises as the ball hit the hardwood, showcasing the strength of all players involved. Sophomore Maggie Hollon would sub in and make a big impact with two kills in the first set. Hollon would finish the night with seven.
The Tigers would find some separation late in the set, expanding the lead to five at 22-17. Warsaw would take the first set 25-21 on a kill by junior Ava Egolf.
Early in the second set, Warsaw was forced to weather another early storm from the visitors. Hepler was forced to call an early timeout after the Panthers took a 4-2 lead. In the second game, NorthWood fell victim to a plethora of unforced errors. The Panthers sent a few too many kills long or wide, as well as sending a few serves into the net.
The set would turn into another back-and-forth affair. The Tigers would finally take a lead at 16-15 after scoring three straight points. The home team found some separation at 23-18, but NorthWood would not go away. The visitors would tie the game at 24. The two teams would trade points until a Weeks kill followed by an ace from Claire Reichenbach sealed a 28-26 victory for the set and a 2-0 lead in the match. Reichenbach had four aces in the game.
“Claire has a tough job as our serving specialist, having to come off the bench cold,” Hepler said. “She’s calm the entire time and plays her roll so well.”
With their backs against the wall, the Panthers came into the third set shot out of a cannon. The visitors would score the first three points on their way to taking an 8-3 lead. But as had been the case in the previous two games, the Tigers had an answer. Warsaw would tie the game at 10 before another NorthWood run had the Panthers on top 15-12.
The first Tiger lead in game three would be at 18-17 and the breakthrough would send the team on a run. Warsaw would go on to a 24-20 lead before winning the set 25-21 to take the match and the upper hand on the quest for the conference crown.
“This was a statement win for us,” Hepler said. “The girls were not happy with how the game at NorthWood went last year and it showed.”
The Tigers play their next game Saturday at Culver Academy. The team’s final conference game comes Thursday night at home against Concord. A win against the Minutemen will give Warsaw the conference title outright.
The team that would come out on top was Warsaw. The Tigers defeated the reigning conference champions 3-0 to secure at least a piece of its first conference championship since 2020.
“We’re peaking at the right time. These girls are gaining confidence and we are full steam ahead right now,” Head coach Chandra Hepler said. “A win like this just proves that to our players.”
Despite the Tigers taking all three sets, each game was anything but lopsided. NorthWood would strike first, getting the opening points of the first game. Warsaw would get back into it in a big way with a thundering kill from senior Kaylee Weeks. The teams would stick together early on, as neither team was able to take a lead greater than one or two points.
Warsaw’s first three-point lead came at 9-6, but the Panthers would quickly answer and tie the game at 10. High-level volleyball was on display for both sides, as players were lunging for digs, using one arm if necessary. Kills would make booming noises as the ball hit the hardwood, showcasing the strength of all players involved. Sophomore Maggie Hollon would sub in and make a big impact with two kills in the first set. Hollon would finish the night with seven.
The Tigers would find some separation late in the set, expanding the lead to five at 22-17. Warsaw would take the first set 25-21 on a kill by junior Ava Egolf.
Early in the second set, Warsaw was forced to weather another early storm from the visitors. Hepler was forced to call an early timeout after the Panthers took a 4-2 lead. In the second game, NorthWood fell victim to a plethora of unforced errors. The Panthers sent a few too many kills long or wide, as well as sending a few serves into the net.
The set would turn into another back-and-forth affair. The Tigers would finally take a lead at 16-15 after scoring three straight points. The home team found some separation at 23-18, but NorthWood would not go away. The visitors would tie the game at 24. The two teams would trade points until a Weeks kill followed by an ace from Claire Reichenbach sealed a 28-26 victory for the set and a 2-0 lead in the match. Reichenbach had four aces in the game.
“Claire has a tough job as our serving specialist, having to come off the bench cold,” Hepler said. “She’s calm the entire time and plays her roll so well.”
With their backs against the wall, the Panthers came into the third set shot out of a cannon. The visitors would score the first three points on their way to taking an 8-3 lead. But as had been the case in the previous two games, the Tigers had an answer. Warsaw would tie the game at 10 before another NorthWood run had the Panthers on top 15-12.
The first Tiger lead in game three would be at 18-17 and the breakthrough would send the team on a run. Warsaw would go on to a 24-20 lead before winning the set 25-21 to take the match and the upper hand on the quest for the conference crown.
“This was a statement win for us,” Hepler said. “The girls were not happy with how the game at NorthWood went last year and it showed.”
The Tigers play their next game Saturday at Culver Academy. The team’s final conference game comes Thursday night at home against Concord. A win against the Minutemen will give Warsaw the conference title outright.
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