Box Score POPLARVILLE - Northwest made a statement by outlasting Pearl River in the opening set of Tuesday's road showdown, but the Lady Wildcats successfully defended its home court by taking the next three sets and a 3-1 victory. (Set scores: 27-25, 18-25, 20-25, 18-25)

Julissa Soto led the Lady Rangers with six kills and 10 digs, while Kapria Manning posted five kills and four digs. Sophomore libero Kamryn Conner totaled 10 digs and two service aces, while freshman Brinley Steed led the assist category with 13.

Thanks to the efforts of Conner on serve, Northwest took control early and jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the opening set. Pearl River clawed its way back in the match and regained a brief 14-12 advantage, before both teams began trading serves.

After falling behind 24-22 and facing set point from Pearl River, the Lady Rangers forced a 24-24 tie and extra points, before breaking a 25-all deadlock to take the first set, 27-25.

Momentum quickly shifted back to Pearl River's direction in the second set, as the Lady Wildcats sped out to a 12-4 lead. Northwest managed to rally back enough to make things more competitive, but the home team never lost control and tied the match score with a 25-18 set victory.

Pearl River once again led for most of the third set, but the Lady Rangers rallied late to cut the deficit to 23-19, prompting a timeout from the home team. However, the Lady Wildcats held on to take a 25-20 decision and a 2-1 match advantage.

It seemed as if the Lady Wildcats would run away with the fourth set, but Northwest fought back from an early five-point hole to tie things at 10-10. The Lady Rangers were even able to take a brief one-point lead, before Pearl River pulled back ahead and away from the Lady Rangers, clinching the match with a 25-18 fourth-set win.

With the loss, Northwest fell to 0-3 on the season against the Lady Wildcats and 3-9 overall. The Lady Rangers will look to bounce back into the win column on Thursday with a 5 P.M. road match at Bevill State, before returning home for three matches this weekend against Champion Christian College and Snead State.

No live stream will be available for Thursday's match, but all three weekend matches can be seen live on Ranger TV (nwccrangers.com/watch), beginning with Friday's 2 P.M. battle with Champion Christian College.