Eagles defeat Cougars after five long games

ROACHDALE -- The South Putnam volleyball team defeated North Putnam in a five-game marathon Thursday night, 22-25, 25-16, 25-27, 25-25, 15-3.

South Putnam coach Jill Newton was happy with how her team performed in all aspects of the game.

"I am so proud of the way the girls played tonight," Newton said. "The worked together as a team and really came up with some outstanding plays. The entire match was exciting. There were a lot of long volleys and I was happy we were able to capitalize on many of them."

After a close match through most of the first four games, the Eagles (4-3, 1-0 WCC) really went for the jugular in the fifth game.

"We never gave up and really came through in the deciding fifth game," Newton said. "Kaleigh Miller came in and served 14 points in a row in the fifth."

For the Cougars (3-5, 0-1 WCC) it was quite an effort, especially for a team missing one of its seven regular players.

"The girls played well," NP coach Jill Schreiber said. "We tired in the fourth and definitely in the fifth game. It's tough playing intense games with only six players.

"It makes a big difference playing all the way around when you usually only play front or back row," she added.

Miller led the Eagles' service game with 26 points and 8 aces. She also had 13 assists. Up front, Brooke Boetjer had 14 kills and Ashley Wombles had 10 blocks.

"I felt like our front row played aggressively," Newton said. "Brooke Boetjer led the way with kills and Ashley Wombles led with bockes. These two are really stepping up in the middle and playing more aggressively."

Taylor Goss led with 12 digs, and Katelyn Sibbitt was just behind with 11.

"Our back row also did a nice job digging up some hard hit balls," Newton commented.

Newton also got some senior leadership from Oceaia Boetjer, who did a little bit of everything.

"I felt like Oceaia Boetjer had a really good all-around game," Newton said. "She really steps up in critical moments of the game."

For the Cougars, Taylor Alles led with 14 kills and four blocks. Logan Doyle had five aces and 17 digs.

Megan Gray led NP with 17 assists.

"The girls gave South a tough match and that is all I ask of them, to go out and play hard each game," Schreiber said. "We had a good practice on Wednesday and they used the skills we worked on in the game.

"I am very proud of the efforts of the girls," she concluded.

Newton also feels her team is making progress.

"This win tonight is a great confidence boost for the team," she said.

In the JV match, the South Putnam team moved to 3-0 on the season with a 25-20, 25-14 victory. Allison Guthrie led the Eagle effort with 11 points.

North Putnam hosts Covenant Christian at 6 p.m. Tuesday. South Putnam hosts Owen Valley at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

At North Putnam

Blocks -- Wombles 10, B. Boetjer 4 (SP), Alles 4, Doyle 2, Robinson 2 (NP).