Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 128, Number 43, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 27 October 2005 — Page 9

Red Slam claims 2005 Sectional Championship

By Anthony Godson Editor For the first time since 2000, t ie North Wood Red Slam volhyball team walked off the < ourt as sectional champions. "This is a real boost to our jxogram," coach Peg Bough s aid about the. championship. "This was a sweet win for the program, in that none of the j iris c*i this team had won one 1 efore," she added. The £OOS championship was lough's oth as head coach, \ rith North Wood claiming eight (f nine championships prior to t ye recent drought. While it felt good to be back tn top, the win was anything 1 ut easy. After defeating the Wawasee \ Warriors 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 2510), North Wood had to face the Northridge Raiders for the third t me this season. During the i gular season, North Wood and 1 orthridge each won a match, « »d the sectional championship {layed out as many would have ( rpected—close. "Going into the game, I and c hers thought it would really l : a close one," Bough said. "It sas even possible that orthridge had more experience in sectional championships, with them winning it list year/' While Northridge may have had the experience, North Wood showed it had the grit, defeating the Raiders 3-0 (32-30,29-27,25-23). "Our kids really responded,"

ft fl m>

Sophomore Kayla Graber goes for the block against West Noble earlier in September

North Wood makes quick work of Lakeland in Round 1

By Anthony Godson Editor The North Wood Panthers got its postseason off on the right foot on Oct. 20, defeating the Lakeland Lakers 3-0 (25-9, 2520, 25-11) in the first round of sectionals held at Wawasee High School. This was the second meeting between North Wood and Lakeland this season, with the Red Slam coincidentally defeating Lakeland 75-40 in both meetings. North Wood defeated Lakeland 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 2510) on Aug. 18 at North Wood. "It was a similar game to the one before," North Wood coach Peg Bough said. "We told (the girls) that all we needed to do wras hit at (Lakeland), and make them dig. And we went to our big hitter." North Wood's "big hitter" was the same girl that's been doing it all season long, senior Erika Stouder. Stouder finished the contest with 26 kills, but she also received help from junior Steph Steiner's 7 kills and freshman Alii Heeter and sophomore Kayla Graber's 5 kills. "I think some of our other girls hit too, which I think will

Bough said. "Over the first two games, we played behind and never led until the end." In volleyball, the first team to 25. wins, so for the games to reach the 30s was a little out of the ordinary. The long games also brought up unusual coaching problems for Bough. "In volleyball, you're only allowed 18 substitutions and we got to 17," she said. "I was scrambling around to make sure I had the right players on the floor." Luckily for Bough, the Red Slam finished off games before Bough reached the substituting maximum. After playing from behind the first two games, the Red Slam had an easier go of it in the third, and deciding, game. "We did lead in the third, and there were so many individuals who played their 'A' games," Bough said. Among those stepping up for the Red Slam were senior Erika Stouder with her 30 kills, and junior Casey Bough, who had 46 assists in the championship match. The North Wood defense also stepped up. Racking up digs for the Red Slam were senior Heather Stutsman (9), juniors Bough (12), Bethany Ramer (12), Steph Steiner (10), Erin Hoffer (8) and freshman Alii Heeter (8). "Our people in the back row did great," Bough said. She was also impressed with the way Stouder was able to fight off an illness to perform so well.

Though she may have the smallest frame, Heeter delivered some to the hardest hit balls from the left and right side of the net. "I just told her to keep hitting harder and hitting harder, gaining the confidence," Bough said of the freshman. "I know the teams we face from now on, are not always going to let us just go to our middle. We've really worked on her hitting, and she's done a nice job." When North Wood wasn't scoring with kills, its serving game was. Stouder and junior Calley Tucker each finished with 2 aces, but the team as a whole served well all night. "We've been working on being more aggressive in our serves," Bough said. "I think we had more aces tonight, although we may be airing more than we should." There wasn't really anything Bough could critique with her team's first game of match. After battling back ahd forth over the first 10 points, the Red Slam bolted from a 5-5 tie to a 95 lead, as Lakeland struggled to get the ball over the net. Lakeland then began trading (qt nna UXltil

"Erika was sick on Friday, but she responded," she said. With the leadership displayed by the senior, the underclassman also stepped up their games. "Our underclassmen did a great job," the coach said. "We played freshmen and sophomores, and they really rose to the top." Everyone had to rise to the top to defeat the Raiders, especially setter Bough and hitter Stouder. The two responded all night to Northridge setter Lauren Godfrey and hitter Ashley Hamilton. "It was our good hitter and setter versus their good hitter and server," Bough said. "The kids were just in a zone." Before defeating conference opponent Northridge, North Wood first had to defeat another Northern Lakes Conference team in Wawasee earlier in the day. "That's what makes our sectional so special," Bough said. "The teams in our sectional are also in our conference. That makes it a little more competitive." Now that they've won sectionals, the competition will only get tougher, and that begins with Delta in the second game on Saturday at approximately 12:30 p.m. at Wawasee High School. "From looking at tape, they are a very, very good team," Bough ,said. "Those teams in Muncie are very good." Going into regional competition, Bough is well aware of what her team must do. "We really need to sharpen our game," she said. "(Delta) uses different fakes and plays, that we're not used to." • NORTHWOOD 3, WAWASEE 0

L.„ ,i i m ,iii jjj ft^ ■ |jr -. ;- " I ■ "*' '' ■*,< Ie

Freshman Alii Heeter digs a ball, while senior Kailey Thornburg looks on.

North Wood scored eight straight points to take the easy 25-9 win. While the first game was easy, the Red Slam seemed like it wanted to make the second game more exciting for the fans. In that game, each team traded blows until North Wood was finally able to close the game out with a 25-20 win. "I told them after the second game, 'We can't give this team 20 points.', so they came back with a little more enthusiasm," Bough said. The Lakers were more vocal in the second game, and seemed to be more enthused, pushing North Wood the whole game. "You have to focus for three games, you can not let down," Bough said. "Our passing broke down a little bit, then we couldn't get the attack." After getting past the second game, North Wood once again found its groove in the third. After falling behind 3-2, North Wood scored seven straight points, taking a 9-4 lead. Lakeland sprinkled in a few points along the way, but the Red Slam was able to break their will, taking the 25-11 win, coding Lakeland's season.

Sports

B W B ft r -B

ADVANCE NEWS FILE PHOTOS/ANTHONY GADSON (l-r) Erika Stouder, Kailey Thornburg, Calley Tucker and Kayla Graber do some substituting.

25-17, 25-15, 25-10 Semi-final Match At Wawasee Aces: Casey Bough 1, Bethany Ramer 1, Anna Kitson 1. Assists: Casey Bough 31, Bethany Ramer 4. Kills: Erika Stouder 21, Alii Heeter 9, Kayla Graber 9. Blocks: Casey Bough 1. Digs: Erin Hoffer 9, Casey Bough 9, Steph Steiner 7, Anna Kitson 6, Bethany Ramer 5. Record: 23-9. • NORTHWOOD 3, NORTHRIDGE 0 32-30, 29-27, 25-23 Championship Match At Wawasee Aces: Steph Steiner 1, Bethany Ramer 1, Anna Kitson 1. Assists: Casey Bough 46. Kills: Erika Stouder 30, Kayla Graber 11, Alii Heeter 6. Blocks: Kayla Graber 3. Assisted Blocks: Erika Stouder 1, Alii Heeter 1. Digs: Casey Bough 12, Bethany Ramer 12, Steph Steiner 10, Heather Stutsman 9, Erin Hoffer 8, Alii Heeter 8. Record: 24-9.

mr 2 " J ~ i - ■ ! %\ bpc~. he .* •■ ■■£ f- at-.y- 1 ipjiy i *v v> jr 3 B ».*;'V .. kVES . Vr >»W

ADVANCE NEWS PHOTO ANTHONY GADSON Coach Peg Bough takes a time-out to talk to her team during the North Wood Invitational.

While advancing on to face Wawasee in the second round on Oct. 22, Bough believed that her team would only go as far as their intensity would take them. "We practiced hard this week," she said. "We'd go for an hour, just so you wouldn't get the break. So it should be

Advance News • Thursday, October 27, 2005

sJjMk • Hk - - W l ' % < 1

Senior Erika Stouder prepares to slam a ball earlier in the season.

easy when you come into a game." • NORTHWOOD 3, LAKELAND 0 25-9, 25-20, 25-11 At Wawasee Aces: Erika Stouder 2, Calley Tucker 2. Assists: Casev Bough

40. Kills: Erika Stouder 26, Steph Steiner 7, Alii Heeter 5, Kayla Graber 5. Blocks: Kayla Graber 1, Erika Stouder 1. Assisted Blocks: Kayla Graber 1. Digs: Steph Steiner 8, Bethany Ramer 8, Heather Stutsman 8. Record: 22-R

Page B1