SENATOBIA - After months of eagerly anticipating the start of its second volleyball season, Northwest put up a solid effort against Region 23 foe Pearl River on Friday afternoon, despite taking the 3-0 loss on the scoreboard.

Both teams got off to an intense start and battled back-and-forth throughout most of the opening set, but the visiting Lady Wildcats slowly pulled away in the waning moments, earning a 25-19 first set victory.

After taking a 10-6 advantage to open the second set, Pearl River began to pull away once again and led by as much as 19-11. However, the veteran duo of Kapria Manning and Julissa Soto helped the Lady Rangers pull back within four, before the Lady Wildcats finally shook off the rally with a 25-20 second set win.

With their backs to the wall and facing a 2-0 match deficit, the Lady Rangers shook off a slow start to pull within a slim 12-11 margin. That would be as close as Northwest would come though, as Pearl River hit the gas and never looked back for a 25-17 third-set clincher.

Unofficially, Manning led the Lady Rangers in kills and total blocks, while Alexia Davis led the team in assists. Freshman Lia Ramos also made a strong debut by leading in total digs. (***All stats will be officially updated over the weekend.***)

Facing an 0-1 start to the season, Northwest will look to bounce back in the win column with a four-match weekend at the Bishop State Wildcat Classic on August 27-28. All four matches will take place in Mobile, Ala. beginning with a double-dip against Gadsden State and Snead State on Friday at 5 and 7 P.M.