ARGYLE - Pecatonica sophomore Ellie Gifford was in a volleyball zone like never before from the service line.
Pecatonica rode Gifford's hot serving Thursday night in the second game against Argyle. Tthe Vikings, after blowing a 15-8 lead in the third game, came back to win the match against the Orioles in three games, 25-21, 25-6, 26-24.
After pulling out an energy-filled first game, the Vikings broke the second game open when Gifford reeled off 13 straight service points including six of her seven aces in the match to push the lead to 20-2.
Gifford, who has been playing volleyball since sixth grade, doesn't have too many superstitions when it comes to serving.
"I just dribble a couple of times, take a deep breath and do what I can from there," Gifford said. "I try to find the open spots and hit them.
"I just felt it was the team that needed me because it was a close first game."
Argyle coach Shane Johnson said good teams find ways to break serve.
"Once we started giving up points, I don't think it looked like anyone wanted to be out there," Johnson said. "Right now we are looking for someone to step up and be the person to make that play. We are kind of missing that right now."
Pecatonica (8-3, 4-1 Six Rivers East) showed no hangover after losing a four-game match to Black Hawk on Tuesday.
"I just think we try to put every match we have played behind us," Pecatonica co-coach Cher Schliem said. "We really got ready for Argyle."
Fellow Pecatonica co-coach Barb Ruegsegger was proud of the result, but she knows with the Vikings changing some defensive coverages and a focus on passing, there is room for improvement.
"I don't think we played up to our potential, but we played well enough to win," Ruegsegger said.
Argyle (2-9, 1-4) trailed 11-5 in the final game before mounting a comeback. Argyle sophomore Ashley Nelson capped a stunning rally with five straight service points to give the Orioles a 16-15 lead.
"We didn't get worried," Schliem said. "This team is resilient. They don't go down hard. We knew they would keep fighting."
The Orioles were led by senior Kelsey Ostby, who had seven kills and Nelson added 13 assists.
"When they are in a game like that, their energy level is up and they don't want to make a mistake," Johnson said. "They rode that emotional wave. When it's high, we are pretty good. When it bottoms out, it really bottoms out."
Pecatonica rode Gifford's hot serving Thursday night in the second game against Argyle. Tthe Vikings, after blowing a 15-8 lead in the third game, came back to win the match against the Orioles in three games, 25-21, 25-6, 26-24.
After pulling out an energy-filled first game, the Vikings broke the second game open when Gifford reeled off 13 straight service points including six of her seven aces in the match to push the lead to 20-2.
Gifford, who has been playing volleyball since sixth grade, doesn't have too many superstitions when it comes to serving.
"I just dribble a couple of times, take a deep breath and do what I can from there," Gifford said. "I try to find the open spots and hit them.
"I just felt it was the team that needed me because it was a close first game."
Argyle coach Shane Johnson said good teams find ways to break serve.
"Once we started giving up points, I don't think it looked like anyone wanted to be out there," Johnson said. "Right now we are looking for someone to step up and be the person to make that play. We are kind of missing that right now."
Pecatonica (8-3, 4-1 Six Rivers East) showed no hangover after losing a four-game match to Black Hawk on Tuesday.
"I just think we try to put every match we have played behind us," Pecatonica co-coach Cher Schliem said. "We really got ready for Argyle."
Fellow Pecatonica co-coach Barb Ruegsegger was proud of the result, but she knows with the Vikings changing some defensive coverages and a focus on passing, there is room for improvement.
"I don't think we played up to our potential, but we played well enough to win," Ruegsegger said.
Argyle (2-9, 1-4) trailed 11-5 in the final game before mounting a comeback. Argyle sophomore Ashley Nelson capped a stunning rally with five straight service points to give the Orioles a 16-15 lead.
"We didn't get worried," Schliem said. "This team is resilient. They don't go down hard. We knew they would keep fighting."
The Orioles were led by senior Kelsey Ostby, who had seven kills and Nelson added 13 assists.
"When they are in a game like that, their energy level is up and they don't want to make a mistake," Johnson said. "They rode that emotional wave. When it's high, we are pretty good. When it bottoms out, it really bottoms out."
