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Cougars overcome Wolves

CARNEY — The Carney-Nadeau Wolves made it interesting, but the Superior Central Cougars prevailed in a 3-1 (18-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-23) volleyball triumph here Wednesday night.

Superior Central gained a 24-19 lead in the fourth set on a service ace by Emma Rutter in this Skyline Central Conference match.

C-N got a sideout on a kill by junior Hailey DeGrave and eventually shaved their deficit to 24-23 on a kill by senior Mackenzie Walcher.

The Wolves then committed a two-hit violation, enabling the Cougars to secure the decision.

“We have two teams, one that plays high and one that plays low,” said Cougars’ coach Kris Bray. “Lately, we’ve been playing more high. They had some good serves we struggled with. We’re happy with our offense. When we ran our offensive efficiently, they were having a hard time.”

C-N was within 18-17 following an ace by senior Mary Sivula.

A kill and an ace by Katrina Augustyn gave the Cougars a 20-17 cushion before their lead diminished to one point on a passing error.

“The whole match was close,” said C-N coach Steve Kedsch. “It was exciting to watch. We just needed to be aggressive and kept attacking. We were looking to come out with a lot of energy, and our serving was aggressive. Superior Central has a good team. We played well. It was just one of those nights we came up short.”

C-N led 13-11 before Emily Augustyn tipped the ball over the net for a kill and sideout.

The Cougars then surged to an 18-15 lead on a kill by Maggie Rondeau.

Superior Central led most of the third set, although the Wolves were within 18-16 following a Cougars’ serving miscue.

The Cougars then went up by three points on a kill by Katrina Augustyn and gained an insurmountable 24-17 advantage on a C-N passing error.

In the second set, the Cougars were trailing 23-21 following a service error.

Kills by Riley Moore and Riley Johnson helped the Cougars take a 24-23 lead before they secured that set on an ace by Begovac.

“We have a team that’s pretty special,” said Bray. “The girls have been working well together since seventh grade. Destiny is in their hands. I think they feel it, too.”

The Wolves took a 15-10 lead in the opener on an ace by senior Malorie Baumler before the Cougars climbed within 15-14 on a kill by Johnson.

Superior Central then committed a two-hit violation and a hitting miscue before DeGrave hit an ace to put the Wolves up 18-14.

The Cougars were within 20-16 following a Wolves’ service error.

C-N then pulled away and clinched the opener on an ace by junior Olivia Accord.

Baumler was forced out of the match after re-injuring her right ankle early in the fourth set.

“We felt we had all the pieces, then when lost Mal again,” said Kedsch. “She was coming back from an ankle injury which is unfortunate for her. Mackenzie played solid defense, and I thought Hailey played well at the net, and Olivia had a fabulous night defensively.”

DeGrave collected four aces and eight kills. Walcher tallied six kills and 12 digs, and Baumler finished with six kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Samantha Kedsch had 21 assists and 12 digs. Accord had 15 digs, and Sivula added 12.

The Cougars, who won the jayvee match in two sets, visit North Central tonight. The Wolves visit the Jets Tuesday.

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