By By TOM NYHUIS / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The Niles varsity volleyball team played host to Kalamazoo Loy Norrix in a Big 16 crossover match Wednesday evening.
A night of celebration for six Niles seniors playing in their final home game of the season turned into disappointment after the Knights took a 3-1 win over the Vikings 26-24, 22-25, 25-22 and 29-27.
Madalynn Peterek, Kaylynn Stephenson, Samantha Brawley, Karly Kennedy, Brittney Wolverton, and Stephanie Stoops fought hard all evening to make their final home game a happy one.
After a slow start to the night and falling behind 7-1 in the opening game the Vikings battled back to tie the game at nine. Niles followed that up with nine more ties with the final coming at 24 before the Knights tallied the final two points to claim the win.
Niles rebounded from the loss holding off Loy Norrix in the second game pulling away from a 19-19 tie to take the 3-point win through the hard work and effort of the seniors.
The third game was pretty much the same as the two teams exchanged leads throughout the game with the with the Vikings knotting the game at 22. Niles was unable to finish off the Knights and found themselves down 2-1.
In the final game of the evening Niles the Vikings looked to have the game wrapped up taking a 24-21 lead due in part to the aggressive play of Brawley sacrificing her body to make several great point saving digs. Her effort fell short as the Knights spoiled the night for the Vikings coming back to tie the game at 24 and then went on to win the game and take the match.
Katie Bourbonnais watched the action from the sidelines with an injury hoping the night off will allow her to be ready for Saturday's tournament.
Niles will be in action again on Saturday at the Big 16 tournament in St. Joseph.
Niles Statistics
Kaylynn Stephenson 13 kills, 17 digs
Samantha Brawley 19 assist, 1 ace
Karly Kennedy 1 ace
Brittney Woverton 8 kills, 4 blocks
Stephanie Stoops 20 digs