Rainy River has been swapping points with teams all season, and Wednesday was no different in a 3-2 win at home against an improved Northland squad (25-27, 28-26, 25-21, 22-25, 17-15).
Even the Voyageurs’ record at 11-9 overall and 4-4 in the Northern Division proves they’re solid, but now they’re looking for a streak.
“We would finally get momentum and we’d miss two serves,” RRCC head coach Mel Millerbernd said about Wednesday’s thriller. “That’s been our downfall — our serving.”
Although this season hasn’t witnessed a big win streak, getting a win after putting in an effort like Wednesday night’s can lead to bigger and better things.
“That was a huge win for us,” Millerbernd said.
The Voyageurs swept Northland (3-11, 2-6) earlier this season, but they knew the Pioneers had improved after they defeated Hibbing Sept. 22.
Haylee Gates came up big Wednesday, along with Kelly Sorensen, Danika Stelton, Tiffany Schumacher and Katrina Wreggitt. Gates had a team-high 21 kills and three blocks, Sorensen made 25 digs and Stelton had 46 set assists. Schumacher and Wreggitt didn’t have big statistical nights, but they played well down the stretch.
Wreggitt sniped a big kill to even the score at 15 in Game 5, and the Voyageurs used the momentum to get the final two points.
“It’s nice. Now we have a lot of hitters,” Millerbernd said about the emergence of Wreggitt.
RRCC’s upcoming schedule doesn’t get any easier. They host Itasca, Hibbing and Mesabi Range next week — three of the top four teams in the division — with the matchup against Mesabi Range celebrating Sophomore Appreciation Day. The last home match of the regular season is Oct. 9 against Vermilion and the last match is Oct. 13 at Central Lakes.
