NORTH MANCHESTER -ÊAlthough Wawasee's coach did not think his volleyball team played as well as it could have against Manchester Tuesday evening, the Warriors pulled out a 15-10, 15-10 win over the Squires.

"I think we as a team could have played a little sharper defense," said Wawasee coach Jason Fleming. "We could have played better."

The road to the win was not smooth for the Warriors. Manchester jumped out to an early 6-0 lead in the first game after Mandy Phillips served up five straight points.

The Squires built a 7-1 lead before Candice Brown stepped to the line to serve for Wawasee. Brown led the Warriors to three points to make the score 7-4 before Staci VanLue moved in to serve. VanLue then helped the Warriors tie the score at 7-all.

Then the Warriors started to build their lead. Jessie Korenstra, Kim Likens and Kathy Likens joined forces to put the Wawasee squad up 12-7.

Manchester got to within two, 12-10, after Jenny Brubaker, Joni West and Carrie Fox each served up a point but Kim Likens put the icing on the cake with the final three points to give the Warriors a 15-10 win.

The second match saw 10 possession changes before Wawasee struck first when Kim Likens served up a Warrior point.

However, Wawasee's lead was short-lived as Manchester's Jenny Brubaker led the Squires to two straight points and a 2-1 lead.

Then the Warrior offense kicked into action. Brown (three points), Kathy Likens (one point) and Korenstra (two points) combined to put the Wawasee squad up 7-2.

Then Carrie Fox and Margo Searfoss traded points to make the score 8-3 before Jennifer Jester served up three straight to bring Manchester within two, 8-6.

But Bria Pletcher and Brown would not allow Manchester to get any closer as they led the Warriors to a 13-6 lead.

"We gave up a little bit at the end," said Manchester coach Mike West, "but then we started to come back."

Carrie White gave Manchester its last chance, serving up four straight points to make the score 13-10, but Kathy Likens finished the game by serving the last two points for the Warriors.

"We usually have Carrie playing in the first row," said West. "She came in to serve and gave us a spark in the second game."

"I didn't think we played as well as we should have," said Fleming. "Manchester blocked extremely well and they played aggressive defense in the back court."

"We served aggressively. We started off slow in the first game, but we could have been better. We were not hitting the balls as well as we could have."

"When we're fired up, I think we can play with anybody," said West. "But when we are down on ourselves, I don't think we can't beat anybody."

The Warriors are 8-2, while Manchester falls to 2-4 on the season. The Warriors and Squires are back in action Thursday. Manchester will host Wabash, and Wawasee will start Northern Lakes Conference play by hosting Plymouth.

"We pride ourselves in a total team effort," said Fleming. "We are deep in all positions, not only in the front court, but in the back court as well."

WAWASEE def. MANCHESTER 15-10, 15-10

Wawasee leaders

Digs -ÊCandice Brown 7, Kim Likens 7, Kathy Likens 7

Blocks -ÊErica Auker 2, Jessica Leach 2

Kills -ÊJessica Leach 5, Kathy Likens 4, Kim Likens 3

Assists -ÊCandice Brown 22

Manchester leaders

Digs -ÊJessica Hicks 3, Carrie White 2, Joni West 4

Blocks -ÊJessica Hicks 4, Carrie White 3, Joni West 4

Kills -ÊJessica Hicks 5, Jenny Brubaker 6, Carrie White 4

Assists -ÊJoni West 14

JV -ÊWAWASEE def. MANCHESTER 15-4, 15-8

Wawasee leaders

Aces -ÊAngie Weybright 3, Amanda Schmucker 3

Kills -ÊChrissy Kime 4

Assists -ÊAngie Weybright 11

Note -Êno Manchester individual leaders were reported [[In-content Ad]]