NATICK – After falling to Newton North in dominant trend early within the season, Natick hoped to maintain it shut within the rematch at house. As an alternative, the Redhawks pulled off one thing that this system has not performed in a very long time.
Regardless of dropping the opening set, Natick (7-4) stormed again to safe a 3-1 volleyball victory over the three-time defending Division 1 champions. Natick gained 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 27-25.
Head coach Bob Harless mentioned the staff’s principal focus was to compete higher than the preliminary matchup, which Natick misplaced 25-8, 25-18, 25-12.
“They didn’t need to get embarrassed like they acquired embarrassed final time, that was our low level,” Harless mentioned. “It was ‘dig pink night time’, all of their family and friends have been there. (Our staff) confirmed up, and in ladies volleyball, that consequence can occur.”
Harless mentioned the staff was centered on “serve-receive” and in serving aggressively to attempt to restrict the harm Tigers star Sasha Selivan might do on the court docket.
“We figured if we might serve aggressively, we might get them out of system so Sasha isn’t killing us on each set,” Harless mentioned. “She nonetheless had her moments however I believe we neutralized her a bit greater than we did final time.”
Newton North (10-2) led for almost all of the opening set however Natick rebounded and finally tied it at 19. The Redhawks held a short lead, however finally the Tigers claimed the set 25-23.
Whereas Natick confronted a deficit, preserving the rating shut was one thing that Harless felt was a momentum enhance. The second set was back-and-forth and featured 9 totally different lead adjustments. An enormous key for the Redhawks was excelling at returning serves, which senior libero Scarlett Jones mentioned was a mirrored image of the rising chemistry.
“It actually helps having individuals again there that you would be able to belief,” Jones mentioned. “We work daily on serve obtain, and I believe we nailed that right now. It was superior.”
The RedHawks grabbed a set lead at 18-17 and didn’t relinquish it, finally successful 25-21. That was simply the sixth set lack of the season for the Tigers and Natick carried this momentum over to the third set.
The Crimson Hawks took a 4-3 lead and held it from there. A key to this was center hitter Brooke Barnett, who squashed quite a few Tiger expenses with blistering kills on the internet.
“Asking for the ball and calling for the ball was huge for me,” Barnett mentioned. “The connections I had with the setters have been actually working right now.”
The fourth set noticed some closing pushes from the Tigers, who even held a set level at 24-23. Nonetheless, Natick continued to remain inside vary and finally completed the job with a 27-25 victory.
“It’s undoubtedly a shock feeling,” Barnett mentioned. “I’m simply so pleased with our staff and what we completed. This meant quite a bit for us.”
As Natick prepares for the remainder of its schedule, Jones mentioned this victory set the tone for the way they’ll carry out going ahead.
“Beating a staff that’s prime 5 within the state actually brings some momentum towards our staff,” Jones mentioned. “We simply misplaced to Wellesley final week, which was powerful, however now beating Newton North will assist us with rankings and confidence total.”
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