PORTAGE — In a battle for first place in the SMAC West Division Wednesday night, the Niles varsity volleyball team came up short against host Portage Central.

The Vikings fell into a second place tie with Lakeshore and St. Joseph after falling to the Class A honorable mention Mustangs 25-14, 25-20 and 25-16.

“We knew going in that this was going to be one of our toughest matches of the season,” Niles coach Jenny Nate said. “They were very good at changing the tempo of their offense and we had to adjust and make sure that we got to base and transitioned faster in order to defend. By the second set, we regained control and came out strong winning that game.

“During the third and fourth sets it went back and forth, and even though we tied it up at various times and pulled ahead by a point or two, we just couldn’t get a consistent run. We know that we can play with the best teams in the state, but we have to learn how to finish and win against those caliber teams and with more hard work, I know my team will do it.”

Portage Central d. Niles 3-0

Set scores

25-14, 25-20, 25-16

Niles statistics

Leading scorers

Holly Walker 7

Kelsey Barton 5

Bre Love 5 points, 2 aces

Bella Rasler 5 points, 1 ace

Megan Kohler 3

Kills

Jazmin Brann 10

Rasler 9

Lexi Smith 9

Barton 7

Kohler 5

Blocks

Brann 1

Smith 1

Kohler 1

Digs

Love 17

Rasler 17

Walker 9

Courtney Nixon 5

Kohler 5

Assists

Barton 31