PORTAGE — The Niles volleyball team made a great comeback to beat Portage Northern in a SMAC West Division match 23-25, 20-25, 25-17, 25-16 and 15-13 Wednesday night.

“We came out playing too safe and over thinking our plays tonight,” Niles coach Jenny Nate said. “We are not a play it safe kind of team. We have to play aggressive and put the ball down. After the losing the first and second set, I told my players to stop playing it safe and hesitating and get out there and swing hard, and if it goes out, it’s on me not them. The third, fourth and fifth sets were a different story and we played our game and won all three.”
“I was impressed with the way they all kept each other up and fought back to pull out a big conference win. We had to fight the same way against Mishawaka last week, and I love the fact that they are learning to push forward and stay mentally tough in order to pull out these tight matches.”

Niles is now 2-0 in West Division play, which ties the Vikings for first place with Portage Central, who they play on the road Wednesday.

Lakeshore and St. Joseph are both 1-1, while Benton Harbor and Portage Northern are both 0-2.

 

Niles d. Portage Northern 3-2

Set scores

23-25, 20-25, 25-17, 25-16, 15-13

 

Individual results

Scoring

Holly Walker 14 points, 2 aces

Courtney Nixon 12 points, 1 ace

Kelsey Barton 10 points, 4 aces

Bre Love 7 points, 1 ace

Bella Rasler 6 points, 1 ace

Megan Kohler 5 points, 1 ace

 

Kills

Jazmin Brann 14

Rasler 14

Kohler 9

Lexi Smith 4

Barton 3

 

Blocks

Brann 10

Barton 5

Kohler 5

Smith 4

Rasler 3

Nixon 2

Kylie Morris 2

 

Digs

Love 17

Nixon 11

Walker 10

Rasler 8

Barton 5

 

Assists

Barton 39