Cougars take down Eels in three sets

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

ROACHDALE -- North Putnam volleyball team were in action Tuesday night against Eminence. The Cougars won in three sets 25-14, 25-20 and 25-16.

The Cougars started the match strong and driven. A powerful spike by Megan Robinson was part of getting the team fired up.

Good service by Katie Welch and good play on the court by her teammates helped give the Cougars a 10-point lead during the first set.

However, Eminence was able to cut that lead in half due to the serve of Nikki Campbell and a few defensive mistakes and miscommunications by North Putnam.

This didn't squelch the fire in the Cougars' game.

They were able to rally back and earn back their lead. They won the set 25-14.

The second set was a story of tied score.

Both teams were victim to errors and this led to the scoreboard showing the same numbers for points three through nine.

Each time one team seemed to be getting an advantage, the other would rally back in the match.

The combination of Mackensy Asbell's spike to the other side and Eminence making a few errors, North Putnam was able to pull ahead 14-12.

The game came to a tie once again at 17.

Several service errors on both teams kept the game knotted or within one point during entire set.

Megan Robinson's serve and another spike by Asbell helped the Cougars take the lead. They were able hold on to that lead and won 25-20.

By the third set, North Putnam's fire was still going strong.

Robinson came out with a spike to score the first point. Eminence scored four unanswered points due to Whitney Stierwalt's serving.

North Putnam's Welch was able to use her serving to bring the set to a four-all tie. Robinson was also a contributor serving and the Cougars took a 7-5 lead. Eminence wasn't going to let them run away with the lead by tying the game at eight-all.

North was able to take a 13-9 lead due to good teamwork and good communication.

Samantha Lucas was able to put in serves that helped North Putnam take a 16-10 lead.

Once the Cougars were out in front, they didn't look back.

Robinson had an ace to put North within one of winning and Asbell's spike ended the contest with North Putnam 25-16.

North Putnam head coach Jill Schreiber was pleased about picking up the win, but saw areas the team on for the rest of the season.

"We played well, however, it was not our best," she said. "We are still learning, as a team, to play "our" game and not the game of our competition. We were able to play some people in different positions tonight, adjust our line-up and work with it. That is a plus.

"We haven't been able to do that in the past," Schreiber said. "We were working on different plays that we have practiced. We were successful at times. I'm just glad to see the girls attempting new plays and moving ahead of just bump, set, spike.

Schreiber said overall she was proud of the team and their win. She hopes the win gives the team some confidence.

The North Putnam junior varsity was also able to pick up a win again Eminence, closing it in two sets 25-19 and 25-21.

At North Putnam

North Putnam 25 25 25

Eminence 14 20 16