Noxon withstands Savage Heat, 3-1

Tournament games not withstanding, it’s probably way too early to anoint a season-opening volleyball game as the game of the season.

After all, Hot Springs and Noxon will collide again later in the year and it’s only one game in a long season.

But if last Tuesday’s 3-1 Noxon victory over the visiting Lady Savage Heat from Hot Springs is any indication, area volleyball fans are in for a treat this season.

In a spirited, pitched battle that went back-and-forth throughout the match, it would be hard to imagine these teams not being involved in post-season play.

Can’t you just hear former Indianapolis Colts football coach Jim Mora going off on a rant when asked it an early season loss to the San Francisco 49ers would affect the Colts’ post-season chances...”playoffs, playoffs, who said anything about playoffs..it’s way to early to be thinking about playoffs”.

That is almost always true in the world of sports.

So, Hot Springs fans, take heart in the fact that you went up against a very good Noxon Lady Red Devils squad, on their home court, and were in all four games before Noxon’s overall depth won the day.

The first game of the match, which was the non-preseason opener for both teams, was a good indication of things to come for both of these teams and probably left hardcore volleyball fans circling October 1 on their calendars. That is the date the two will meet again, with this game slated for Hot Springs’ gym.

It was that good.

Noxon scored the first three points of game 1 before Hot Springs rallied and pull in front 4-3. The Lady Heat would extend that lead to 12-6 before Noxon went on a scoring run that tied the game at 18.

The lead changed hands or was tied six times before Hot Springs held off another Noxon rally to claim the opening game 26-24 in what is volleyball’s version of overtime.

As was the case in the first game, Hot Springs jumped to an early 14-6 lead and appeared to be on its way to a two game advantage.

That’s when Noxon’s Emily Brown and company revved things up again, closing the Hot Springs lead several times before finally catching them at 21-all. Noxon then took it’s only lead of the game at 22-21 and held off the Lady Devils for a 25-22 win which tied the match at one game each.

Noxon then dominated the opening minutes of pivotal game three, building a seemingly insurmountable 15-8, then maintaining that advantage until Hot Springs came alive and pulled within five points. The Lady Red Devils had enough in the tank to hold off the hard-charging Hot Springs crew and eventually pulled out a 25-19 win that gave them a 2-1 match lead.

At that point, Noxon’s depth helped them take command of the fourth and what would be match-deciding game of the evening, coming away with a 25-16 match ending victory.

Brown led the way for the Lady Red Devils, with three aces, 15 kills, eight assists and three blocks as she and the Noxon front lines controlled most of the match. Brown, a senior, brought thunderous applause from the home town fans on several occasions with the blocks and laser-like kills.

She spent most of the night battling at the net with Hot Springs’ Lauryn Aldridge, who had two blocks of her own.

In the victory, Noxon got big games from several players, including: sophomore Seanna Richter, who recorded one ace, four kills and 20 assists; and Mia Vogel who had seven aces, 11 kills, 10 assists and six digs for coach Dana Grupenhoff’s well-balanced theam.

For Hot Springs, Brooke Jackson had 13 assists and Josie Uski had a match best 12 digs.

After a game this past Thursday at Superior, the Lady Red Devils will return to their home court for a pair of games including this Tuesday versus Troy, then again this Saturday when they host St. Regis.

Hot Springs meanwhile is off until this Thursday when they entertain the Two Eagle River team, then remain at home for another early season test when they take on always tough Charlo Friday, Sept 9.