Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE -ÊOn senior night at Tippecanoe Valley, the Viking volleyball team hoped to come home with a victory and the satisfaction of defeating its area rival.
Rochester, on the other hand, had other ideas and defeated the Vikings 15-9, 16-14.
Valley (22-6, 4-1 TRC) started the game by scoring on its first possession, making the score 1-0, but success was fleeting. The Vikings' Jennifer Studebaker was injured in the next possession and left the game for the duration of the evening.
"Jennifer has played hard all season long," said Valley coach Jon Parker. "When she went down, it was a shock for our team."
Then Rochester took over possession, scored two points, and took the lead, and Valley would not take the lead again for the rest of the first game.
The Vikings had a chance to tie when Rochester hit the ball out of bounds, but Valley failed to take advantage of the opportunity and turned the ball over yet again. Rochester did not rest this time.
Rochester's Andrea Hoehne then scored five points in a row to make the score 7-1 in the Zebras' favor.
Several volleys later, Valley started to come to life when Tara Baker led the Vikings to three straight points, bringing them within three points of a tie.
With an 11-6 Rochester lead, Valley's Inga Vandermark scored two straight points to get the ball rolling in Valley's favor, but Rochester quickly squelched the rally and defeated the Vikings 15-9.
However, Valley was not out for the count.
"This was an emotional game," said Parker. "The girls were ready for it."
Rochester came out fighting, with Myra Absi scoring three points to begin the second game. After several possessions, the score stood at 4-0 in Rochester's favor.
Valley called a crucial timeout, and then Rhonda Doud served up three straight points to bring Valley within one.
Rochester rallied back and scored three points of their own, but Valley's Tiffany Cunningham answered by serving two points to make the score 7-5 Rochester.
Then Valley scored one more point to bring the score to 7-6 Rochester.
Again, Hoehne performed in a clutch position and scored three more points to increase Rochester's lead to four.
Valley's Doud led the team to two straight points, and after several more possesion changes, the Vikings were within one point of a tie.
With the score 10-9 in Rochester's favor, Valley's Vandermark hoped to score as she stepped up to serve.
And score she did. Five points later, Valley was on top 14-10, and the crowd went wild.
Rochester forgot that this was the part where they were supposed to give up and let Valley enjoy their comeback. April Stiles stepped in for Rochester and scored two points to make the score 14-12 Valley.
After yet another possession change, Rochester's JoJo Vigar served three straight points, bringing the score to 15-14 in Rochester's favor.
The Vikings still had another chance, but failed to capitalize and Rochester took over possession of the volleyball.
Rochester then scored one point to bring the final tally to 16-15, and Rochester went home with the victory and possibly a portion of the TRC vollyball crown.
"Rochester is one of the best teams in the area," said Parker. "I can't be any more proud of these girls than I am tonight."
Valley travels to South Whitley on Wednesday to face another TRC opponent, Whitko.
