North Putnam earns Pride Paddle at McAnally

Friday, October 2, 2015
Seniors Taylor Nauert, Sierra Spencer, Raegan Bowling, Adri Millican and Hannah Gray helped the Cougars earn back the Pride Paddle. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

Intensity was high when North Putnam's volleyball team made the trek to Greencastle with its eyes sets on taking back the Putnam County Pride Paddle.

The match was a rematch of the county championship game when GHS earned the win.

North Putnam however was in for the fight of its life as GHS stormed back into the match after going down two set but NPHS gained its composure in the fifth and final set and took the win 15-13.

Tiger Cubs Madison and Lydia Trout line up as Greencastle prepares to serve against North Putnam Thursday. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

"Winning in Greencastle is awesome," Adri Millican said. "For us seniors we haven't beat them since our eight-grade county tournament. So this is unbelievable. It makes being a senior so much sweeter. Its so exciting."

The first two sets were all North Putnam. After putting away the first match 25-18 the second match was tight all the way through.

The score was tied multiple times through with neither side relenting easy points.

North Putnam earned its Pride Paddle when the Lady Cougars defeated GHS Thursday night. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

However with the score tied at 23 it was the Cougars who pulled out the stop taking game two 25-23.

"It was really the seniors wanted it so bad," NPHS coach Brandy Dickson said. "All the teammates around them wanted to do it for them."

With their backs against the wall it looked as though the Tiger Cubs would be in for an early night but after falling behind early in the match GHS kicked the effort to an even higher gear.

Down 23-19 Greencastle became an effort machine going on a tear to tie the game at 23.

GHS coach Maggie Walters was unavailable after the match but she had the Tiger Cubs in comeback mode.

The Cougars not wanting to give up the sweep battled back and the game went into extra sets.

GHS finally caught a break with two well-timed offensive plays GHS earned the first win 28-26.

The fourth set belonged to the Tiger Cubs. After an even start Greencastle pounced on the Cougars and won the set easily 25-14.

"I think we broke down a little bit in that fourth set," Dixon said. "I think they finally realized that it's not going to be handed to them they've got to earn it. I was proud that they were able to come back with momentum in that last set."

The last set started in the Cougar favor but quickly turned into a slugfest as GHS once again climbed back into it.

After falling behind 7-1, GHS fought back to a 13-13 tie in the last set.

After a long volley in a game full of long volleys North Putnam finally put together two plays to put the game away for the Cougars.

"I definitely feel like this win with our rival school has definitely put that boost in our step. We are definitely going to go out strong," Millican said.

North Putnam next plays on Saturday at Cascade. Greencastle will play Monday at Terre Haute South.

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