Northland International University hosted the Lady Bucs on Tuesday
and were determined to get back on court. They were determined to combine
energy and execution toward a winning effort. The match scores were 25–16, 25–17, and 25–19.
Junior Ellie Hodak commented, “We really were not pleased with our poor showing
when last in a match and were determined to play well for our home crowd.” The
Lady Pioneers held a 7–9 point lead in each set and scored at a high
percentage from good defense. Ellie Hodak and Brittany Scott had 8 and 6 kills
respectively. Alicia Kellogg was the best defender with 11 digs and a serve
reception of 73 percent.
On Friday, October 15, Northland was
poised for a trimatch with Great Lakes Christian and Gogebic. A rash of injuries
with the GLCC team kept them from coming and gave Northland a forfeit win. The
Samsons from Gogebic came to the PAC for a 6 p.m. match. The GCC program has
elevated their efforts in volleyball with a new coach, Aaron Bender, and a
strong freshman class of athletes. “It is very dangerous to judge a team from
one season to the next. My assistant coaches did a great job of preparing our
players to be ready to compete today. They ran a really good practice on
Thursday, and it showed in how we started and finished the match,” complemented
Coach Herron. Set one had host Northland and Gogebic battle to an 11–11 tie. Beth
Leeds served the home team to a 15–11 lead. An Ellie Hodak kill, followed by a
Beth Leeds kill and block, got the Pioneers a 22–16 lead. Ellie Hodak then stepped up
with two consecutive aces to get Northland up to game point at 24–16. Abi Walker then
set a “tandem” play, and Brittany Cournoyer put set point away at 15–16. Set two
saw Northland jump out to a 13–9 score, increasing that to 23–18 on good defense
and better offense. Set three had Coach Herron give well-deserved playing time
to Becky Thomas, Alicia Kellogg at the outside hitter position, as well as Lauren Mullahy at the RSH
spot. Melissa Moissant and Rachel Swangim contributed defensive touches. GCC
came out strong and gained leads of 18–6 and 20–12. “I want to give chances to
players, but players have to take their chances and make plays.” Northland found themselves
down 16–23 and eventually lost set three, 18–25. Set four found the usual Northland
rotation in order, and the Pioneers pushed an 8–2 lead on strong serving by
Chelsea Behn. Abi Walker moved the lead to 14–5 with continued strong serves
that included a couple of aces. She was aided by strong net play from Brittany
Scott and Beth Leeds. The strong play was continued by the home team up to a
21–11 margin. Brittany Scott put a ball away at the net for a 25–14 match
victory. Brittany Scott said afterward, “It is important for us to keep working
hard and do our parts as players. Coaches make decisions about systems and
subs; we have to make plays and play hard regardless.”
The Pioneers are home again this
week with a home match on Tuesday, October 19, against
Finlandia and will then host Kuyper, Mt. Mary, Grace, and Emmaus—all on Friday and
Saturday, October 22–23 at the PAC on campus. The university’s website has the start times listed. The
Pioneers are in the last two weeks of the season before the Midwest Regional
Tournament in Lansing at Great Lakes Christian College on October 29–30.