Red hot Lady Rangers capture another road win

Photo: Kaley Rikard led Northwest with 10 kills in Friday’s road win at Williams Baptist University. (Credit: Brian Oakley/nwccrangers.com)

Credit: Northwest Mississippi Community College sports information

An 0-4 start has seemed like a distant memory lately for the Northwest volleyball team.

Winners of four of the last five matches and five of the last seven contests, the Lady Rangers took another road win on Friday, this time earning a 3-0 shutout against Williams Baptist.

Northwest wasted no time building a sizable advantage, cruising to a 25-13 victory in the opening set. The Lady Eagles battled back for a competitive second set, but the Lady Rangers still managed to take a 25-19 decision and a 2-0 match lead.

In the third set, Williams Baptist continued to hang around but Northwest proved to be too much, as the Lady Rangers clinched the match with a 25-17 victory.

Cristen Cleveland tallied eight kills, five digs and three service aces, while Kaley Rikard led Northwest with 10 kills. Rikard also posted five assists, while Sarah Bolin and Layla Dyer combined for 30 of the team’s 34 total assists.

Bolin and Caroline Howard totaled seven digs, with Dyer also posting five. Kailey Gooch also added six kills of her own.

Now 5-6 on the season, Northwest returns home for four matches on Tuesday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 6. The Lady Rangers will host MUW JV and John Melvin University on Tuesday at 3 P.M. and 7 P.M., with the two visiting teams playing each other at 5 P.M. On Wednesday, Northwest welcomes Northeast at noon and Pensacola State at 4 P.M.

All matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday will be carried on Ranger TV.