The Vikings played Nyssa at home, Thursday, Oct. 10. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
VALE – The Vikings remain undefeated in league play after a matchup against Nyssa Thursday, Oct. 10. But the Bulldogs gave Vale a run for their money, with an unexpected comeback in the third set that took the match to a very tight fourth set.
Set scores ended in: 25-17, 25-18, 17-25, 28-26.
[Watch live footage from the fourth set on our Facebook page]
The Bulldogs led by as much as 10 points in the third set and went neck and neck in the fourth.
“I was very impressed with Nyssa’s team,” said Vale Coach Shannon Steele after the match.
Steele praised the Bulldogs’ defense and their ability to stay in the game. “That’s what it’s about,” Steele said.
Nyssa Coach Maddie Speelman said the team was a little intimidated at the beginning, but picked up steam as the match progressed.
“Nyssa can do that,” Speelman said of the surprise comeback. “It’s not ideal. We’re trying to focus on starting out on top and staying on top.”
The Vikings served at 93% Thursday. Alissa Fulwyler, Emmy Johnson, Sierra Cleaver and Taleah Zueger served at 100%.
Jaymeson Jenson and Lexi Cleaver had two aces each.
Jenson, along with Demia Hardin and Johnson also had seven kills each. Tyanna Norton had four.
Speelman said she warned her team they would have to play hard. “Vale is not going to give it to you, we have to fight for it,” Speelman said. And fight they did; several Nyssa players were moved to tears after the loss, when victory had seemed so close they could almost taste it.
The Bulldogs served at 90%. Brooklyn Johns had 11 kills and Hailey Castro had 10 kills. Syriah Trujillo had 15 digs.
Vale now ranks first in their league with a 7-0 record, and Nyssa ranks fourth with three wins and four losses.
Nyssa junior Hailey Castro, one of two team captains, serves the ball. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
Vale senior Sierra Cleaver serves the ball. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
The Vikings played Nyssa at home Thursday, Oct. 10, beating the Bulldogs in four sets. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
Senior Lexy Rodgers serves the ball. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
Nyssa makes a switch during one of the sets. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
Vale senior Demia Hardin had seven kills. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
Junior Tyanna Norton, No. 15, and senior Demia Hardin jump to block the ball. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
Nyssa senior Britain Hartley jumps to block the ball. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
The Vikings regroup after Nyssa threatens to turn things around in the third set. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
The Bulldogs discuss team strategy before a new set. (The Enterprise/Yadira Lopez)
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