By Travis Smola
The Vicksburg varsity volleyball team lost a nail-biting heartbreaker to the Paw Paw Red Wolves in a series that went the full five sets between two very evenly matched teams.
The Bulldogs started off the contest strong, going up 5-0 to start set one against the Red Wolves. However, Paw Paw came charging back and the two teams kept the score just one or two points apart through most of the set. Natalie Hoagg had a strong show at serving, and Emma Vallier and Scarlett Hosner had some key kills that helped Vicksburg keep things close. The set was eventually tied 20-20 before Vicksburg pulled away for a 25-20 win to go up 1-0.
In the second set, the Bulldogs again started off strong, going up 8-3 early before Paw Paw came charging back to make it 9-7. An ace by Avery Barker seemed to be the key turnaround point as Vicksburg slowly pulled away for the 25-15 win.
When the third set started, things started to go downhill for Vicksburg. The Bulldogs quickly got into 1-4 hole against the Red Wolves. Unfortunately, it didn’t get much better as the set went on and the Bulldogs never led. Paw Paw won 25-16 to set up a fourth set. Vicksburg also never led in the fourth set either. It tied the contest several times, but Paw Paw eventually came away with a 25-19 victory to force five.
In the shortened fifth set, the Bulldogs were down 7-3 early before it looked like they might turn it around. Vicksburg forced a Paw Paw mistake and Sophia Carrier had two aces to bring the score to 7-6. After that, the team couldn’t seem to get any momentum going. Paw Paw ultimately won the set and the contest, 15-9.