TigerHawk volleyball moves on, 3-1

 

The NFV players, both on the court and off the bench, scream with joy after NFV wins the third and final set of its Regional volleyball game Monday (Oct. 26) in West Union. The TigerHawks beat Oelwein, 3-1, and will move on to face sixth-ranked Center Point-Urbana Thursday at 7 p.m. in Center Point. (Jerry Wadian photo)

 

TigerHawk volleyball moves on, 3-1

 
 

 

By Jerry Wadian
jwadian@thefayettecountyunion.com

 

It took four grueling sets and almost 1:45, but North Fayette Volleyball advanced in Class 3A Regional volleyball action with a 25-19, 21-25, 25-23, 25-17 win over Oelwein Monday (Oct 26) in West Union.

With the win, NFV earned the right to play sixth-ranked Center Point-Urbana, Thursday, in Center Point. Game time will be 7 p.m.

Monday’s match against the Huskies was an action-filled contest with many long volleys. Long runs were very few as the two teams traded points in a real slugfest.

In game one, NFV used the longest run of the night by either team in

going from 4-8 to 15-8; Bailey Moser did the serving honors for the TigerHawks.

However, the Huskies were not going down easily, getting to within three at 21-18 before the TigerHawks put set one in the books.

Game two was controlled by NFV early, but Oelwein came back from a 6-3 deficit to tie the set at 16-16 and 20-20. Then, the visitors reeled off four straight points and went on for the win.

Game three looked like a lost cause for NFV as Oelwein jumped to an 8-1 lead, and held on until the TigerHawks finally rallied to tie at 21-21. Tiffanie Koch ended the set with nice little dink at the net.

Game three was another back-and-forth affair until NFV went on a four-point run to lead 15-8. Once again the Huskies rallied and slowly crept to 18-14. 

With a raucous crowd yelling encouragement, the TigerHawks closed out the set and match with a 7-3 run.

Afterwards, head coach Bruce Ehler said, “I think the key to the match was when we were finally able to control their serve. They had us off balance for a while, but after we adjusted, we were able to keep pulling ahead.

Assistant coaches Brooke Lodge and Jared Tilleraas both talked about how much the crowd helped.

“When the crowd started getting into it, that energy spread to the players and boosted our performance,” Tilleraas explained.

Stats from this game and Thursday’s contest in Center Point will be in the Union next week.

 

 

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