LINDEN — North Montgomery volleyball is beginning to be experienced in five set matches. Monday the Chargers found themselves in another five set contest when they hosted North Vermillion. Previously the Chargers went 1-1 in their prior two five-set matches and that experience paid off as the Chargers notched a thrilling victory (25-18, 18-25, 25-19, 27-29, 15-10) over the visiting Falcons.
“I think this shows that we’re competing until the very end,” North Montgomery coach Taylor Dyson said. “We’re really beginning to dig deep and finding our groove while also learning at the same time.”
The Chargers looked as if they would end the match in set four after going up 23-21. However the visitors weren’t ready to go home just yet as they rallied for the thrilling set four win. Despite dropping the potential match-sealing set, North Montgomery didn’t lose their composure or focus. They came out strong in the deciding set five and held a 7-3 lead. After seeing North Vermillion make a small run late, North Montgomery scored the final three points of the set as McKenzie Schroeder emphatically sealed the win with a mammoth kill.
“Our girls showed a lot of fight and I’m very proud of them for that,” Dyson said. “They could have very well given up after dropping that fourth set, but they rallied together and finished strong. I just told them to continue to dig deep like I know they’re capable of doing and they took that to heart.”
Annabel Anderson led the way in the win for the Chargers with 11 kills. Ella Fritzen tallied seven while Schroeder added six. Schroeder added five blocks at the net. Rylie Gayler tallied five service aces.
“Annabel had one of the best games of her season tonight and we needed that from her,” Dyson said crediting the excellent play of junior. “She was on top of the ball and ready every time it was coming her way and just seemed like she was all over the place. I also have to give credit to a lot of my underclassmen (Ayden Braun, Kaydence Young, and Piper Ramey) who are improving a ton. Seeing them play well makes me excited for the future of this program.”
With the win the Chargers improve to 5-15 on the season. As the regular season now is beginning to hit it’s final stretch, Dyson knows that this is the time of the year where her team needs to be playing their best. Another W in the win column can go a long way in doing just that as there are still many chances in the final few weeks of the season for the Chargers to add to their win total.
“This is the time of the year where I’m really asking them to compete at their highest level.” Dyson added. “I think they’re doing that. We just need to continue to do this as we get ready for these final few weeks.”
Dyson also took the advice from North Montgomery Athletic Director Matt Merica who came up to her after the win and simply told her to “enjoy it because winning is hard, no matter the sport.”
Another potential winw for the Chargers will come on Tuesday night when they are back in action when they hit the road to take on Attica. Thursday they’ll return to home to face Sagamore Conference powerhouse Western Boone.
On Sunday the Chargers will find out their post-season path as this season, with the sectional realignment, they’ll compete against the likes of Frankfort, Benton Central, Twin Lakes, West Lafayette, Western, and Rensselaer Central.
