Box Score SENATOBIA - Momentum was like a seesaw between Northwest and Pearl River in Monday evening's MACCC opener, but in the end, it was the Lady Rangers that prevailed with a 3-1 triumph at Howard Coliseum.
Northwest took the first two sets by a pair of 25-18 and 25-22 decisions, before the Lady Wildcats forced a fourth set with a 25-18 margin in the third. However, the Lady Rangers fought off a feisty effort from Pearl River down the stretch in the fourth, clinching the match with a 25-19 score.
Rachel Stegall led Northwest with 17 kills and 16 digs, as
Anna Lott posted a team-high five blocks.
Layla Dyer tallied 42 assists, while
Aven Mathis was credited with four service aces.
Northwest grabbed the momentum early, racing out to a seven-point lead in the opening set. Pearl River pulled within five, but the Lady Rangers were able to maintain the lead and pull away for a 22-13 advantage down the stretch. The Lady Wildcats trimmed the deficit to six points, only for Northwest to close out the first set, 25-18.
Though the Lady Rangers managed to take a three-point lead early in the second set, Pearl River rallied back and pulled within one. Northwest was able to build a five-point lead midway through the second set, but the Lady Wildcats rallied back within two, 15-13.
Although Pearl River remained within striking distance the rest of the way, Northwest was able to build the lead back to five once more, before a late charge from the Lady Wildcats closed the gap to 25-22.
Facing a 2-0 match deficit, Pearl River swiped away the momentum in the third set, jumping out to a 10-6 lead. Northwest managed to tie it back at 10 apiece and again at 14-14, but the Lady Rangers were never able to pull ahead, falling 25-18.
However, the momentum shifted back in favor of Northwest in the opening stages of the fourth set, as Northwest quickly built a four-point lead. The Lady Rangers led by as many as 17-11, before Pearl River clawed back within three, 20-17. Despite the late push from the Lady Wildcats, Northwest finally closed things out down the stretch, clinching the match with a 25-19 fourth-set victory.
Stegall led Northwest in both kills and digs, with Lott and
Maddie Smith racking up 12 kills apiece. Dyer finished with 13 digs on the evening, followed by 12 from Mathis and 11 each from
Ally Grimes and
Abbey Swift.
Lott's five blocks were a team high, but
Claire Roberts also had three crucial blocks in the victory, followed by two from
Kaya Coleman.
Northwest improved to 12-6 on the season and 1-0 in the MACCC, while winning its eighth straight match. Pearl River dropped to 4-13 overall and 0-1 in the MACCC.
Next up for the Lady Rangers is another conference showdown on Wednesday, September 25, this time against first-year program Jones College. The Lady Bobcats are 11-2 overall and 1-0 in the MACCC, following a 3-1 victory against Northeast on Monday evening.
Wednesday's match is scheduled for a 6 P.M. start time with live broadcast coverage on Ranger TV.
