Greencastle volleyball drops 5 set match to North Montgomery

Thursday, September 8, 2011

GREENCASTLE --Greencastle played with determination and resiliency, but North Montgomery took a hard-fought five set victory, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 19-25 and 15-10, in a nonconference volleyball match Wednesday night at the McAnally Center.

The Tiger Cubs (1-5) have played four five-game matches and won one this season.

"It's disappointing to them," Greencastle coach Liz Spencer said. "They're right at that hump and can't get over it."

Greencastle didn't play well in the fifth game, something Spencer attributed to a lack of experience.

"Their nervousness overtook them," Spencer said.

The Tiger Cubs were competitive in every set. They rallied from a 19-15 deficit to win the second game, 25-23. They were tied 23-all in the fourth before the Chargers scored the final two points on a block and an extended and well-played point that ended with a forced error by the Tiger Cubs.

Greencastle took control in the fourth set, 15-8, and held off a North Montgomery comeback. The Tiger Cubs scored the final two points on a soft-touch kill by Shelby Earl and a hard-hit kill by freshman Sydney Stuckwisch.

Greencastle led 6-5 in the fifth game, but the Chargers scored six straight points for an 11-6 advantage. The Tigers got within three points twice before North Montgomery had back-to-back kills to decide the match.

"I'm pleased with our progress," Spencer said. "We have a young team and it's a matter of developing our skills, the different types of shots they need. People say you need confidence, but you've got to have the skill sets to do different things."

Spencer praised the play of setter Ellen Gobert, outside hitters Earl and Rayleigh Amis and middle hitter Stuckwisch.

"Ellen was steady for us setting and Shelby and Rayleigh, we have to have them on their games," Spencer said. "Shelby had a really nice game and Sydney did a nice job for a freshman. As a team, we passed the ball pretty well and I thought our receiving (serves) was pretty good until the last game."

North Montgomery won its second straight match.

"We had a lot of ups and downs," Chargers' coach Jodi Webster. "It was a roller coaster. It's a big win for us, our second straight. Two wins plays big into us developing confidence.

"Greencastle is scrappy. They were going to be there and fight for every point."

Greencastle will host Tri-West tonight at 6 p.m.