Lady Cougars pounce on Wildcats

North Putnam seniors Sierra Spencer, Adri Millican, Hannah Gray, Taylor Nauert and Raegan Bowling celebrate a Senior Night win against South Vermillion. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

ROACHDALE -- North Putnam's volleyball team came out firing in its final regular season match Tuesday before the WIC Crossover game against Sullivan and the Lady Cougars put away South Vermilion in three sets.

"I think this will be a good win going into the game Saturday against Sullivan," NPHS coach Brandy Dickson said. "They're on fall break right now so you want to give them time off but we also want to make sure we are ready. Then we play the following week on Thursday. We drew South Putnam."

The Lady Cougars won the first set with some tenacious defense, handling the Wildcat attacks and setting up their own kills and winning 25-12.

North Putnam's Taylor Nauert goes up higher than a South Vermillion defender to earn the kill. The Lady Cougars celebrated senior night by beating the Wildcats in straight sets on Tuesday. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

Hustle plays were made by Taylor Nauert, Hannah Gray and Lyndi Parent and many led to kills.

The only competitive game was the second as the Wildcats traded points with North Putnam and battled back when the Cougars tried to pull away. But the Cougars had talent to pull away after a 13-13 tie and won 25-15. Aleah Duncan, Haley Abdon and Sierra Spencer contributed some good offensive and defensive plays on the front line during the second-game win.

The third game was all North Putnam as the size and skill of Nauert and Adri Millican were too much for South Vermillion to handle.

NPHS' Hannah Gray passes on a difficult ball against South Vermiilion. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

The Lady Cougars were able to attack their way to a 25-10 victory.

"It was very emotional," Taylor Nauert said. "I didn't think I was going to cry but I ended up crying afterward. Lyndi Parent was talking to me and it got to me. She's one of my best friends. So it'll be sad not coming back and playing next year."

With the win the Cougars will look to continue their momentum into the post-season after the crossover game. Nauert said with the original goal of winning the conference out of reach, the Lady Cougars will plan to go as deep into the post-season as possible in the last season with her senior class.

"As far as we can get," Nauert said. "We are pushing all the way and we are determined to get past it and see just how far we can get."

The group of seniors have played together since the eighth grade and they hold the Putnam County Pride Paddle for the first time.

"It was great to see all our seniors playing together," Dickson said. "It's always a fun positive game. I sure will miss these girls. They've been a great senior class. It was a good win for us tonight overall."