Huskies too much for Vikings

Published 11:15 pm Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Niles’ Miranda Baker goes up for a block against Portage Northern’s Shayla Wolf Wednesday night. Baker finished with three blocks in the Vikings’3-0 loss to the Huskies. (Daily Star photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

Visiting Portage Northern cruised to an easy 3-0 Big 16 Conference West Division victory over Niles Wednesday night.

The Vikings appeared to be flat in their 25-13, 25-17 and 25-10 loss to the Huskies.

Niles kept the first two sets close and after Portage Northern opened up a bit of a lead, was able to claw its way back into the match.

The first set was tied at 3-3 before the Huskies went on a 9-3 tear to up their advantage to 12-6. The lead reached 17-9 before Vikings’ coach Linda Martin called for a time out.

Niles rallied coming out of the time out, but could not keep the momentum going and found itself down 20-11.

Portage Northern scored five of the next seven points to win the opening set 25-13.

The second set was a bit more competitive.

After being tied at 2-2 and 6-6, Portage Northern took off and opened up a 10-6 lead before the Vikings called a time out. Niles cut the lead to 14-7 and then whittled it down to 18-14.

The Huskies maintained their focus and pulled away to the 25-17 victory and a 2-0 advantage.

There would be no such comeback in the third and final set.

Niles fell behind 5-2 and was down 12-6 when Martin again called for a stoppage of play to regroup.

The time out didn’t help the Vikings as the Huskies opened up a 15-7 advantage and then took 10 of the next 13 points to earn the sweep.

Portage Northern d. Niles 25-13, 25-17, 25-12

Niles statistics

Kills

Ashley Love 7

Miranda Baker 5

Lashonda Greene 5

Cortney Shirrell 2

Digs

Brea Haines 20

Shirrell 10

Love 9

Assists

Shirrell 17

Blocks

Baker 3