September 25, 2008 at 8:29 a.m.
NB earns tough win, drops one to Elks
NB earns tough win, drops one to Elks
Change can be a good thing.
The North Branch volleyball squad found that out on Tuesday, Sept. 16 against the Columbia Heights Hylanders.
"After a bad week, we decided to change our offense to shake a few things up," Head Coach Kari Francis said. The Vikings switched from running a six-two, which includes two different setters alternating to a five-one, with only one setter.
Junior Tiffany Anderson moved from setter/right side hitter to outside hitter. "She has made a great transition to the outside position and has really stepped up her game," Francis noted.
The change paid dividends early as the Vikings swept conference foe Columbia Heights 3-0 on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
The Vikings raced out to an early lead in all three sets, and never looked back, winning 25-11, 25-13 and 25-15. "We played a consistent match from start to finish against Columbia Heights, which has been a struggle for us in previous matches" Francis explained. "The team is already starting to settle into the changes and steadily improving their performance."
Aces were the key on the night for the Vikings. Sophomore Morgan Leadens scored five aces on the night, Anderson had three and senior Megan Scherer and sophomore Kelci Lofboom each had two aces.
Elk River 3, NB 1
After winning the first set 25-21, the Vikings had a tough time adapting to Elk Rivers play in the next three sets. The Elks won three straight -- 27-25, 25-21 and 25-13 -- to down the Vikes. "We battled tough the entire night, but we couldn't pull out the win on the road," Francis said. "It was a hard fought game for both teams. We had our chances in games two and three, but we couldn't capitalize."
In the last set, Francis said her team just struggled to receive Elk River's serves cleanly and they just couldn't find a way back into the match.
Anderson, who is only a junior, and Scherer led the Lady Vikings with six kills each.
Next up for the Vikings is Parent's Night tonight, Sept 25. The Vikings will be hosting Fridley, and the match begins at 7 p.m.
Comments:
Commenting has been disabled for this item.