Northview quells Three Oaks rally for three-set win

Northview's Adalyn Harrison (right) goes up for a block during NMS' win over Three Oaks in volleyball action on Wednesday evening in Newbern.

Photo/Jason Peevyhouse

By JASON PEEVYHOUSE

Sports Editor

Despite winning the first set handily after a big finish to the opening frame of the day, Northview's volleyball team had to scrap their way to a three-set win, capping off the victory with a dominant win in the third set against Three Oaks at home on Wednesday night.

Three Oaks Macy Seaton eyes the ball as she readies to set for the TOMS offense during Wednesday evening's game at Newbern.

Photo/Jason Peevyhouse

“I feel like they handled the pressure really well – especially with the rivalry between Northview and Three Oaks,” Northview Head Coach Elysse Joy said of the start to Wednesday's game. “They came out swinging and they were ready to go. They had a lot of energy.

“That's what I've been preaching this whole time. We can't ever win a game without communication or energy.”

Northview jumped out to a lead early thanks to early service points from Kate Benedetto and Lynlee Young. After taking a 7-3 lead early on, the Lady Choctaws from Newbern stormed through the rest of the first set, ending the frame with an 18-1 run to take the first set 25-4.

Three Oaks battled back in the second set and kept things close to make for a back-and-forth frame. A kill from TOMS' Alecia Sandoval tied the game at 19-19 but an ace by Lainey Gibbons put Northview back on top 21-19 moments later. Three Oaks answered with a Molly Davis ace to tie the game at 22-22 late before taking the set 25-22 to even the match at a set apiece.

“I'm very proud and I think they eventually figured out how to put it all together,” Three Oaks Head Coach Bailey Leake said. “There were a lot of nerves tonight. But I am proud of their teammates and the crowd for building them up and clapping them up for the second set.”

Northview came back strong in the final set though, getting a Benedetto ace and a kill from Harper Peery set the tone for a 7-1 start to the deciding frame. A late Adalyn Harrison kill extended the Northview lead to nine on the way to a 15-5 victory to clinch the match.

“In the second set we made a lot of errors and I think we lost our focus,” Joy explained. “We got a little too cocky so we got humbled in the second set.

“I think we got our minds right in the third set and we focused back on energy and communication – what we're supposed to be doing and how we're supposed to be doing it. I think that showed in the third set.”

Northview returns to action on Tuesday when the Lady Choctaws host Dyersburg Middle School at 5 p.m. Meanwhile, Three Oaks hosts Ripley at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the Lady Choctaws' next match.