Southview Defeats Northview – Finally!

The Northview Wildkats enjoy a long and rich tradition of volleyball success. Every year they are a threat to contend for the Northern Lakes League title and a district title as well. Little girls grow up in Sylvania dreaming of wearing the black and gold and playing volleyball for the Wildkats. Meanwhile across town the rival Southview Cougars have been far less successful. In most years the Cougars struggled to avoid the NLL basement and wins were a rare event. Against this scenario the two teams met last night and the often hapless Cougars came out on top 3-1 (20-25; 25-22; 25-19; 25-21) to mark Southview’s first ever volleyball victory over Northview.

The evening began like so many others with the Wildkats coming out on top with a rather comfortable 25-20 victory but early in the second game the Cougars demonstrated that a change was in the air. Suddenly the rallies became longer and the Cougars were getting to balls that they typically would fail to reach. There was a sense that change was in the wind and an enthusiastic and loud crowd responded accordingly.

The second game was a back and forth affair which could have been won by either team. Neither team was able to build a significant advantage but in the closing moments the upstart Cougars slowing inched ahead and, when it was over, the match was tied at a game apiece as Southview won 25-22.

The third game was more one-sided as the Cougars enjoyed a comfortable although not commanding lead. Southview jumped out to a quick early lead which they never surrendered. Several times in the third game the Wildkats appeared to be frustrated by the way that the game was proceeding while the Cougars grew more confident. Although Northview tried desperately to close the gap, the Cougars coasted to a 25-19 game victory and a 2-1 match lead.

As the fourth game began the tension in the building was incredible. The Southview and Northview fans were enthusiastically supporting their teams and many in attendance began, for the first time, to wonder whether they were about to witness history. Like the third game the Cougars came out strong to build an early lead but this time the Wildkats came back strong. Every time the Cougars built a 2 or 3 point advantage the Wildkats came clawing back to close the gap and when Northview finally tied the score at 21-21 it looked like a fifth game was a likelihood but the Cougars had other ideas. Behind the senior leadership of Katie Bader, Katelyn Schlosser, Molly Williams and Ashley Sinram, the Cougars rattled off the final four points and a memorable 25-21 victory.