by Scott DCamp
Sports Editor

Central Lakes spoiled Northland’s home volleyball opener with a three-set sweep Wednesday night in Thief River Falls.

The Raiders, currently ranked sixth in NJCAA Division III and boasting a 7-4 record entering the contest, surged to a 25-17 win in the opening set. The Pioneers rallied from a 19-13 deficit to tie the second set 24-24, before the Raiders locked down the second set 26-24. The teams were tied 11-11 early in the third set, before Central Lakes pulled away to claim the third set 25-14.

Northland Head Coach Abdul Chamma applauded his team’s effort, while offering that they made too many mistakes – especially in the third set.

“We made too many mistakes in a row at the end and we made more mistakes than the other team made,” Chamma said. “The other team was as afraid of us as we were of them.”

Chamma called a timeout when his team fell behind 19-13 in the second set, and his team responded with an impressive 11-4 run to tie the set.

“We tied the set, 24-24, then a couple of calls went against us,” Chamma said. “The second set proves that this is a team that  can work hard. This is a team that can win.”

Central Lakes 3, Northland 1
• Scores – Central Lakes wins 25-17, 26-24, 25-14
• Assists – Molly Hanson 11, Liberty Johnson 10.
• Kills – Janie Wunderlich 8, Carly Mekash 6, Emmie Jacobson 5, Molly Hanson 5, Britney Neil 2.
• Service Aces – Janie Wunderlich 1.
• Blocks (solo-assist) – Emmie Jacobson 1-1, Molly Hanson 1-0, Liberty Johnson 1-0.
• Digs – Janie Wunderlich 10, Molly Hanson 10,  Jamie Tuttle 8, Carly Mekash 8, Emmie Jacobson 6, Liberty Johnson 1.