PORTAGE — The Niles volleyball team played its best match of the season against perennial Big 16 Conference powerhouse Portage Central Wednesday.

And despite losing 3-1 to the Mustangs, first-year coach Jenny Nate was extremely proud of her team’s effort.

The Vikings won the first set 25-23, but fell to the Mustangs in the final three sets 25-19, 25-22 and 25-21.

“My girls came out tonight and played the best game I’ve every seen them play,” Nate said. “They exceeded my expectations with their high level of play, intensity and execution. I could not be prouder of them.

“Portage Central is one of the best teams in our conference and probably the toughest we will face this season.”

Nate said that in winning the first set, the Vikings were aggressive and controlled the tempo.

“We continued to battle the next three sets and although we lost them, we never let up and Portage had to earn every point,” she said. “These girls played amazing tonight and with continued practice and their ability to continually raise their level of play, we have a chance to beat any team we play this season.”

Niles had leads throughout the final three sets, but couldn’t pull out a win in any of them.

The Vikings head to Kalamazoo to compete in the Loy Norrix Invitational.

 

Portage Central d. Niles 3-1

Niles statistics

Points

Miranda Baker 18

Kelsey Barton 17, 1 ace

Cortney Shirrell 14

Ashley Love 13

Kierra Fillwock 11, 1 ace

Maggie Hoff 7

 

Assists

Shirrell 42

 

Kills

Love 14

Baker 13

Lashonda Greene 11

Fillwock 7

 

Digs

Hoff 9

Love 6

 

Blocks

Baker 7

Love 4

Greene 2

Shirrell 1