SPARTANS SURVIVE RAIDER RALLY

The South Range Volleyball team dropped a thrilling five set match to Boardman Wednesday night. (25-18 13-25 21-25 25-20 5-15)

The Raiders got out to a strong start in set 1 with their best hitting percentage of the night at .241. South Range also was strong at the net collecting 7 blocks in the set. They won the set 25-18.

Boardman retaliated with their strongest set of the match. Using the powerful tandem of Katie Stamp and Kennedy Paige the Spartans rolled in set two. 25-13.

The third set was more of the same story with the Spartans using their advantage at the middle block to dominate. The Raiders really helped out in the set hitting -.031. Despite their hitting struggles, the Raiders managed to claw back in the set late before eventually dropping it 25-21.

The Raiders used the momentum gained at the end of set three to get out on the right foot in set four. After being held without a kill for two straight sets Anna Primavera found success gathering 4 kills in the set. The Raiders hit .125 as a team which was an improvement from the previous set. The Spartans showed toughness, however, turning a 20-14 Raider lead into a 22-20 lead. Izzy Lamparty got a big kill from the middle to get the Raiders back the ball and they never looked back, taking set four 25-20.

The first four points of the decisive set five went back and forth leaving the teams deadlocked. A controversial call went Boardmam’s way and the momentum gained from that let them go on a 7-0 run. Their net defense kept the Raiders offense in check and fittingly the final point of the match was a block by Stamp.

The Raiders have their best defensive match of the season gathering 50 digs as a team. Reagan Irons lead in that category with 14, Anna Primavera was right behind her with 13. The Raiders have 3 players with 7 kills, Anna Primavera, Izzy Lamparty, and Abby George. Emily Irons gathered 28 assists, 12 digs, and a kill.

The Raiders return to action hosting Hubbard on Thursday night. The Spartans will await Howland on Tuesday at Boardman.