Draft knocked out of Region III

STUARTS DRAFT — Stuarts Draft was able to take Game 1 on Tuesday night but Northside took the next three to move on to the Region III semifinals.

The Vikings won the match 20-25, 25-16, 25-16 and 25-17.

The Cougars took the momentum away from the Vikings early. They were able to block attacks and land aces between the Vikings’ defense to take early control.

The Vikings trailed 14-10 when they made their own run and capitalized on the Cougars’ mistakes to get back into contention.

With the score tied 19-19 Aliya Stevenson had back-to-back aces to give the Cougars a lead that they would not let go.

Callie Updike blasted a kill in between Viking defenders to give the Cougars the 25-20 victory.

The Cougars could not get anything going after the Game 1 win.

The Vikings ran away with Game 3 taking a commanding 16-11 lead but the Cougars tried to make a run as Kamron Johnson had back-to-back aces to pull the team within three points.

But, the Vikings pulled away taking the 25-16 win. Game 3 was a replica of Game 2 as Northside pulled away late to take a 2-1 game lead.

With the Cougars playing for their season they kept up with the Vikings. The Cougars took a 10-8 lead after Jessi Ramsey landed three straight aces.

The Vikings turned around the game and took the Game 4 win and the match.

Stuarts Draft coach Kami Meeteer was more than pleased with her teams play this year.

“We only had three returnees this year and the group worked hard early this year and they came together as a team,” Meeteer said.

It was the last game for the Draft seniors and Lindsay Iseli had nothing but good things to say about her team.

“I have been playing with many of my teammates since ninth grade and I have had fun playing with them” Iseli said. “I really have learned a lot from coach [Meeteer] she has taught me more than just volleyball. She doesn’t yell at us when we mess up which I think helped me.”

The Cougars were proud of their season and are excited for next year with only three player graduating the Cougars will be much the same as this season.

“We have a lot of players coming back next year. Our JV team was strong this year and some of those girls are moving up so I think if everyone works hard this spring and summer then we will be decent next fall,” Meeteer said.

Updike led the Cougars in kills with ll. Iseli added eight digs and Erin brown had 26 assists.