SENATOBIA - Although the Northwest volleyball team left Wednesday's home doubleheader with a split, the Lady Rangers did collect their first Region 23 victory of the season in a 3-0 win against Northeast.
Pensacola State would earn the 3-1 victory in the nightcap, despite a gritty third set win from Northwest. With the split, the Lady Rangers' record moved to 8-7 on the season.
Northwest will have a quick turnaround, traveling to Hanceville, Ala., to compete in the Alabama/Mississippi Crossover Battle, hosted by Wallace State-Hanceville. The Lady Rangers will play four matches total and two apiece on Friday and Saturday.
Northwest 3, Northeast 0
(Set scores: 25-20, 25-13, 25-15)
Northeast brought the energy in the inaugural meeting between the Lady Tigers and Northwest, but the Lady Rangers pulled away from Northeast over the final two sets, clinching the 3-0 shutout win.
Jacia Hayes totaled seven kills to lead Northwest, followed by six kills and a team-high eight digs from
Cristen Cleveland.
Kailey Gooch also posted five kills and a team-best three blocks, while
Layla Dyer provided seven digs and a team-high 20 assists.
As a team, Northwest outmatched Northeast in total kills, 32-19, and in service aces, 6-2.
Pensacola State 3, Northwest 1
(Set scores: 25-14, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18)
Although Pensacola State opened the match with a 2-0 advantage, the Lady Rangers went into the third set fired up and continued the match into the decisive fourth set, where the Lady Pirates eventually picked up the 3-1 win.
Northwest was outpaced 45-35 in total kills, but the Lady Rangers were led in the category by Cleveland's 11 and eight apiece from Gooch and Hayes. Cleveland and Gooch also finished with three total blocks each, while Hayes earned two of her own.
Caroline Howard led with 20 digs, followed by 12 from Dyer.
Kaley Rikard also provided a pair of service aces in the loss.
