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The players on the bench stand as Morgan Starkey goes up to deliver a decisive spike for pivotal point in the game against Mountain Iron-Buhl. The Vikings start play-offs this week but for sure, who their first game will be played against, is unknown at press time. Staff photo Brian Larsen
The Pam Taylor gym was rocking on Monday night as the Cook County Vikings hosted the Mountain Iron- Buhl Rangers in an exciting match of volleyball.
Game 1 saw the Vikings race off to a big lead and win convincingly 25-15. Game 2 was tight early, but the Vikings took a 9-7 lead and stretched it to 15-7 behind strong serving by Sadie Wilson and some big spikes by Katie Peck and Morgan Starkey. Molly LaVigne and Emmalli Myers spent more time hitting the floor than a janitor’s broom and the Vikings would take the second game 25-17, but the Rangers made the Vikings work hard for every point.
Game 3 was filled with great plays from both teams. The Vikings biggest lead was three points. That coming off a Charlet Waver spike giving the Vikings a 19-16 advantage, but the Rangers fought back and pretty soon the score was 20-20. The teams traded points, but the Vikings took a precarious lead on a Katie Peck block at the net. Leading 24-23 and needing to win by two, Peck was up to serve and sent a hard jump-serve deep into the Ranger’s back court. However, the Rangers handled the ball and ended up winning the point on a tap over the Vikings defense. With the crowd on their feet Starkey spiked for the 25th point and the Viking’s led again, but the Rangers came back to tie. The two teams battled long and hard for each point, but the Ranger’s finally took the contest 28-26, setting up Game 4.
Not always a big hitter, Emmalli Myers can spike the ball when she has a chance. Here Emily is in action against the Ely Timberwolves. Staff photo Brian Larsen
In the fourth game a revived Ranger team took a 7-3 lead over the Vikings who appeared to be out of sync. A serve into the net brought the ball back to the Vikings and the score was 7-4. The Vikings got a spike from Sadie Wilson and a block at the net by Peck to make it 7-6. Emmalli Myers served back-to-back serves that were unreturnable, Peck tapped over the defense and Myers connected again for an ace. On the Viking’s 11th point Molly made a diving save on a ball and Sadie spiked it home. The Rangers would hang around, but the Vikings would prevail 25-17 and take the match.
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