POLAND TAKES THRILLER AND REVENGE OVER SOUTH RANGE

On August 22nd South Range beat Poland in four sets. Over a month later the bad taste of the early season loss was still in Poland’s mouth. They took a five set thriller from the Raiders this time around. (25-16 16-25 25-22 7-25 15-8).

In the first two sets, both teams traded poor hitting performances. The Raiders hit a negative percentage in set number one, and Poland returned the favor in set number two. Each team won a set by a score of 25-16.

Set three was maybe the most important set because both teams were clicking. Lauren Mellilo has a tremendous set for the Bulldogs. Three straight kills at the ladder end of the set helped Poland pull through a tough set 25-22.

In set number four, the Raiders hit the lights out of the gym. Everything was finding it’s way to the floor. Marina Schneider set the tone for the Raiders early with two strong kills from the outside and the offense never looked back. The Raiders hit .348 in the set. They had 11 kills and only 2 errors in the set. They seemed to have all the momentum forcing a set five with a 25-7 win.

If you were to survey everyone in the stands after set four, everyone would say the Raiders had the momentum. However, Poland had other thoughts. They came out in the fifth set and were the more energetic team. Led by the tremendous defense the Bulldogs frustrated the Raider offense not letting anything fall. Morgan Kulchar was getting a hands on just about everything that was coming over the net. Poland found a way to bounce back from a 7-25 loss in set four to win set five 15-8 and avenge the earlier loss to the Raiders.

Anna Primavera led the Raider offense with 11 kills, 5 digs, and 5 aces. Izzy Lamparty also has a strong night with 10 kills and 5 aces. Emily Irons finished with 34 assists, 5 digs, and 3 aces. Reagan Irons had a season-high 35 digs.

The Raiders look to bounce back Thursday night hosting Girard. Poland travels to Lakeview on Thursday night.

Photo credit Seminary Sports+