By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
THREE OAKS - After earning the first place trophy this past weekend at the New Buffalo Invitational, the Niles volleyball team continued to roll Monday night for another win against host River Valley.
The Vikings won all three games against the Mustangs, 25-12, 25-13 and 25-19.
Niles rallied from an early River Valley lead. The Mustangs only lead by three, but the Vikes quickly tied it up at five and took the lead. Their strong offense and defense helped them stay ahead by as many as 10 points as they took the first game.
Niles kept up its intensity in the second game. It stayed focused on offense and defense and kept the lead the entire second game. Everyone on the team contributed whether it was by their serves, blocks, kills, digs or just their spirit, everyone performed well.
The Vikings won the second game 25-13.
River Valley was able to take an early lead in the third game, but Niles again tied it up and took the lead. The Mustangs weren't ready to lose another game and brought the score within one point, 19-18.
Some mistakes on River Valley's part allowed Niles to go back ahead by three.
Kaylee Stephenson pounded a kill to make the score to 23-18. Melissa Olsen also added a kill on the next play for the Vikings to pull them within one point of the victory.
One last mistake on River Valley's side gave Niles the 25-19 win.
Niles will host Marshall Wednesday night in the SMAC crossover game beginning at 7 p.m.
Karly Kennedy had nine digs, six kills, six points and two aces for Niles. Dagmar Hoffman added eight points, six kills and two aces. Ashley Pingel had 10 points, four digs and three aces. Kaylee Bonner had nine points, nine digs and three aces. Amber Peters had 15 assists, five points and two digs. Claire Molnar and Sam Brawley both had had four points and four digs. Stephenson had four points and two kills. Olsen had five kills and Brittney Passig had two kills for the Vikings.
Niles' JV team also picked up a win against the Mustangs 26-24 and 25-15.