PORTAGE — The Niles varsity volleyball team opened its season at Portage Central Saturday, in one of the toughest tournaments it has ever played in.

The 12-team tournament consisted of six of the top-ranked Class A powerhouses in the state of Michigan, as well as several Class A ranked honorable mention teams.

Niles went 3-2 at the season-opening tournament, and played well overall, said Vikings’ coach Jenny Nate.

“We knew heading into the day that we would be playing some of the best of the best, and I am making every effort to help my team play at the highest, fastest level of volleyball in order to improve and become stronger,” Nate said. “The teams competing today were big, strong, fast and exactly who we want to be playing against. We are working hard to improve our chemistry and skill as a new team with a lot of younger players on the court combined with our experienced returners.

“I was extremely proud that they came away from the day 3-2, and our two losses were close scores with two outstanding teams that we’ve never had the opportunity to face before.”

Niles was defeated by No. five-ranked Rockford 25-17 and 25-19 before losing to East Grand Rapids 25-21 and 25-22.

The Vikings would not lose the rest of the tournament.

“We met as a team after those first two matches and really talked about what went well and what areas we need to focus on the most to step it up and beat those caliber teams,” Nate said. “My team understood the importance of self-reflection and setting goals for the remainder of the day. Our goal was to go harder and faster and walk out with three wins on the day in our upcoming matches and we accomplished our goal.”

Niles defeated Cadillac 24-26, 25-18, and 15-9, Plainwell 25-18 and 25-9 and Churchill 25-10 and 25-17.

“It was a good day overall giving us a glimpse of what we need to do to play and beat the best in the state,” Nate said. “We executed well, offensively and defensively, and our block was strong. The girls are excited to head to practice Monday and prepare for week two and make adjustments based on our performance against the highest level of competition.”

 

PORTAGE CENTRAL INVITATIONAL

At Portage

Niles match results

Rockford d. Niles 25-17, 25-19

East Grand Rapids d. Niles 25-21, 25-22

Niles d. Cadillac 24-26, 25-18, 15-9

Niles d. Plainwell 25-18, 25-9

Niles d. Churchill 25-10, 25-17

 

Niles statistics

Points

Carly Barton 22 points, 5 aces

Bella Rasler 18 points, 4 aces

Nikki Nate 17 points, 3 aces

Tristin Liebetrau 15 points, 7 aces

Bianca Pickens 14 points, 2 aces

Bre Love 6 points, 2 aces

 

Kills

Rasler 58

Taylor Bailey 24

Abbie Harpenau 20

Nate 8

 

Blocks

Harpenau 5

Rasler 3

Barton 3

Nate 3

Kenzie Pulliam 2

 

Digs

Love 76

Rasler 51

Pickens 36

Liebetrau 29

Barton 23

 

Assists

Barton 101

Varsity record: Niles 3-2