By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- In a match that looked like it was going to be very close, the visiting Dowagiac Chieftains seized control in the second game and cruised to a Big 16 Conference West Division victory over Niles.
The Lady Vikings won the opening game of Wednesday night's match, 15-8, but couldn't keep up with the Chieftains over the next three games.
Dowagiac took those games 15-13, 15-7 and 16-14 to win the match.
Consistency in serving and on defense was the key for the Chieftains against the Lady Vikings.
In the first game Niles controled the tempo of the match as Dowagiac struggled to move and communicate.
Between the first and second games the Chieftains rallied amongst themselves and came out a different squad.
Dowagiac was led by Amy Wood's 15 points and seven aces. Jenny Pilot had 14 kills, nine points, five blocks and 18 digs, while Sarah Luthringer finished with 25 assists, 22 digs and 10 points.
Niles got 20 kills, two points and two blocks from Melissa Olsen, while Sarah Dreher added 11 kills, eight points, two aces, one block and 10 digs.
Rachel Every finished with eight kills, two points, one block and nine digs.
Niles did win the freshman and junior varsity matches over the Chieftains.
The freshman squad posted a 15-3 and 15-4 win over the Chieftains, while the junior varsity squad won, 15-9 and 15-1.