Bowling leads Cougars to victory

North Putnam senior Bethany Wiatt gets a dig during a match earlier this year. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

MONROVIA -- The North Putnam volleyball team visited the Monrovia Bulldogs on Tuesday night and came back with a victory 20-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-21.

The Cougars struggled early and seemed like they were missing a few key pieces in the first set loss. NPHS had trouble with ball placement against the Bulldog defense and did not help itself with its serving, normally a strength.

"(The Bulldogs) are a very good defensive team. We struggled with serving big time tonight," NPHS head coach Brandy Dickson said.

Two rotation players, junior Shay Lucas and sophomore Jenny Heron, missed the game with illness. While Heron is a solid net player, NPHS had other girls to put in her spot who have plenty of experience.

With Lucas out, the Cougars had to have some players on the back line that are not used to playing there.

"I thought Raegan Bowling, especially in the first set, did a really nice job," Dickson said. "Then they kind of hit away from her because they realized that she would get to anything that you hit over at her. ... I thought (junior) Kaitlin Mindiola did a nice job back as well."

Once the rotation was established and Cougars got some chemistry, they began to display some firepower that was absent in their tough loss in the first set.

Bowling helped lead the team to victory with a team-high 13 digs. Not far behind her was senior Bethany Wiatt with 12.

Sophomore Taylor Nauert led the team is kills (13) and tied for the lead in blocks with sophomore Adri Millican (4).

The win against Monrovia gave North Putnam a half-game lead in the West Central Conference standings over Greencastle with a first-place showdown coming on Thursday.

Beating the Bulldogs will help the Cougars enter that game with some swagger, Dickson said.

"It's a big confidence going into Greencastle and the game Thursday. I hope we have everyone back then so there will be no excuses," Dickson said.

North Putnam plays at Greencastle on Thursday with a JV beginning at 6 p.m.

At Monrovia
North Putnam......20 25 25 25
Monrovia.............25 14 22 21