Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - Expectations are high for both Wawasee and Tippecanoe Valley volleyball teams this year. Both squads are brimming with talent and despite some early season mistakes, quality volleyball was played Tuesday night.
It took five hard fought games but the Vikings came away with the victory, 22-25, 25-13, 25-15, 22-25, 15-12.
The Vikings struggled to get effective serves over in the first game, allowing a tall and powerful Warrior squad to attack at will. The Warriors rolled off six straight points early in the game to gain a comfortable lead. Valley drew to within a point at 23-22 before Wawasee won 25-22.
For Valley coach Jon Hutton, the first game was for working out the kinks.
"We just had trouble getting that focus in the game. We had a lot of pressure on ourselves to do well. Instead of trying to get in a rhythm, we were pushing a little bit and it led us to some unforced errors, but once we got that under control, we played much better."
On Wawasee's end the pressure may have built as the match drew on.
"We started off real strong. I was happy with the first game. Overall I'm disappointed but it's the first game," said Warrior head coach Amy Miller "We have high expectations and with that comes pressure. I think they put too much pressure on themselves."
While Wawasee was the aggressor in the first game the two teams reversed roles with the Vikings going on the offensive in the second game. Lindsay Wiley's 17 points led valley.
Valley senior Lisa Moore celebrated a birthday Tuesday and her play was cause for celebration for Jon Hutton.
"I've just seen an incredible stability leap with her. I love how hard she works and she got it done for us tonight."
Moore finished with four blocks on the night.
For Wawasee coach Miller didn't want to point out any individual and the stats showed consistent play from several spikers.
"It's real hard for me to pick out individual players. When I look at stats it's not just one or two players leading in digs or kills or aces," she said.
Jen Minear's 14 kills, 12 digs and four blocks led the Warriors. Kasey Bollier led Wawasee with 24 assists.
The five-game dramatics were a repeat of last year, when the two teams went the distance in Akron with Valley pulling out the win.
Valley, 1-0, travels to Central Noble Thursday, while Wawasee, 0-1 visits Fairfield. Both matches start at 6 p.m.
VALLEY DEF. WAWASEE 22-25, 25-13, 25-25, 22-25, 15-12
Kills - Valley, Amanda Wiley 19, Holli Jackson 13, Lindsay Wiley 10; Wawasee, Jen Minear 14, Andra Aaron 10, Cecilia Shoemaker 7
Assists - Valley, L. Wiley 43; Wawasee, Kasey Bollier 24
Aces - Valley, Heather Rathbun 4; Wawasee, Minear 3
Digs - Valley, Jackson 9, A. Wiley 9, Rathbun 5; Wawasee, Minear 12, Shoemaker 12
Blocks - Valley, Katie Hileman 5, Rathbun 4, Lisa Moore 4; Wawasee, Minear 4, Bollier 3
JV - Wawasee def. Valley 25-19, 13-25, 25-13
Kills - Valley, Chelsy Rhoades 11, Ashley Hendrix 2; Wawasee, Janea Stewart 5
Assists - Valley, Lindsay Stavedahl 5, Taylor Stoll 2; Wawasee, Kim Miller 10
Aces - Valley, Stavedahl 5, Wawasee, Katie Shoemaker 3, Amber Timmons 3
Digs - Valley, Steph Hoover 7, Rhoades 6, Taylor Stoll 4; Wawasee, Miller 2, Amber Thomas 2
Blocks - Valley, Chelsea Eaton 1; Wawasee, Krista Spearman 5
