HANCEVILLE, Ala. - Facing stiff competition in last weekend's Alabama/Mississippi Crossover Battle, the Northwest volleyball program dropped three of its four matches, earning its lone victory against Gadsden State on Saturday morning.
Sophomore
Kaley Rikard and freshman
Anna Lott were named to the all-tournament team following the weekend's matches. For the weekend, Rikard posted 21 digs, 15 kills and six blocks, while Lott finished with 13 kills.Â
With the losses to Wallace State-Hanceville, Lurleen B. Wallace and Calhoun, the Lady Rangers ended the weekend with their overall record at 9-10. Northwest now turns its attention to the Lone Star State, where they will travel to Blinn College for a three-day invitational beginning Thursday, September 14.
Wallace State-Hanceville 3, Northwest 1
(Set scores: 25-16, 25-19, 11-25, 25-20)
Northwest battled with the host team of the Alabama/Mississippi Crossover Battle in the opening match of the weekend, but even a strong showing in the third set couldn't prevent the Lions from taking the match win against the Lady Rangers.
Lott's nine kills and five blocks highlighted the match for Northwest, followed by seven kills and six blocks from
Jacia Hayes. Sophomore trio
Cristen Cleveland,
Kailey Gooch and
Micah Swift each finished with five kills, while
Caroline Howard posted 18 digs, earning her seventh match of the season with 10 or more digs.
Lurleen B. Wallace 3, Northwest 0
(Set scores: 27-25, 25-13, 25-18)
Northwest took the opening set to extra points, but the Lady Rangers were unable to match the energy in the second set, as Lurleen B. Wallace shutout the Lady Rangers on Friday evening.Â
Rikard posted six kills and 11 digs, as Hayes led Northwest with eight kills. Swift finished with seven kills and three blocks and Howard once again led the way in digs, earning 17 total.
Additionally, freshman
Layla Dyer collected 19 assists and eight digs.
Northwest 3, Gadsden State 0
(Set scores: 25-22, 25-16, 25-16)
After edging Gadsden State in the opening set, Northwest did just enough to stay a couple steps ahead of the Lady Cardinals in the remaining sets, picking up the lone win of the weekend.
Cleveland, Swift and
Madison Allison led the Lady Rangers with six kills each, with Cleveland also accounting for three digs. Northwest also got a big boost from
Ally Grimes, who led the team with 14 digs.
Calhoun 3, Northwest 0
(Set scores: 25-15, 25-19, 25-15)
Northwest battled closely with a tough Calhoun team in the middle set, but it was the Warhawks that controlled things in the opening and final sets, sending the Lady Rangers home with a 3-0 loss.
Dyer and Howard combined with 22 digs, while Hayes posted a team-high eight kills. Gooch was credited with seven kills, while Cleveland added five kills.
