PORTAGE — The Niles volleyball team 1-1 at the Portage Central Power League Invitational Tuesday.

The Vikings defeated No. 2-ranked (Class D) Battle Creek St. Phil 25-21, 25-23 and 25-14, but lost to No. 9-ranked (Class A) Forest Hills Central 25-22, 19-25, 26-24 and 28-26.

“We look forward to playing in this each year because we know we are going to face tough competition, which helps us prepare for the SMAC tournament and districts,” Niles coach Jenny Nate said. “We defeated No. 2-ranked Battle Creek St. Phil in three sets and we definitely had to work, but my players were intense and aggressive. Every player really stepped up to do their part to win the match in three sets.

“Next, we faced No. 9-ranked Forest Hills Central. Early on in the match, one of my starting outside hitters was dealing with an injury, so I had three subs coming in off the bench to step into various positions throughout the rest of the match and they did a fantastic job to keep the tempo of the team on track and continue battling. Despite a great team effort, we lost 22-25, 25-19, 24-26, and 26-28. I was proud of the fact that every player contributed tonight and played with intensity and focus.

“We have to prepare for the SMAC Tourney on Saturday followed by the first round of Districts next week.”

 

PORTAGE CENTRAL POWER LEAGUE INVITATIONAL

At Portage

Niles Match Scores

Niles d. Battle Creek St. Phil 25-21, 25-23, 25-14

Forest Hills Central d. Niles 25-22, 19-25, 26-24, 28-26

 

Individual Statistics

Scorers

Kelsey Barton 23 points, 4 aces

Bre Love 16 points, 1 ace

Holly Walker 12 points, 1 ace

Peyton Cavanaugh 12 points, 1 ace

Bella Rasler 10 points, 1 ace

Carly Barton 10 points, 2 aces

Madison Cavanaugh 7 points, 1 ace

 

Kills

Kelsey Barton 33

Rasler 16

Lexi Smith 14

Jazmin Brann 10

Carly Barton 7

Nola Wallace 4

 

Blocks

Brann 12

Carly Barton 7

Smith 4

Rasler 4

Wallace 4

Kelsey Barton 3

 

Digs

Love 37

Rasler 29

Kelsey Barton 29

Walker 28

Carly Barton 14

Peyton Cavanaugh 7

Brann 6

 

Assists

Kelsey Barton 40

Carly Barton 31

Varsity record: Niles 41-8-2