Bainville Drops Close Match Against North Country Squad

The match to decide a state berth came down to the final set as the hard-working Bainville volleyball squad came up just short against North Country at the divisional volleyball tournament in Sidney on Saturday, Nov. 9.

North Country won by a 25-22, 21-25, 23-25, 25-18, 15-13, final margin.

After dropping the first set, the Bulldogs held on to a 2019 lead in the second set and increased the margin to 23-19 on a kill by Hailey Berwick, an ace by Lila Butikofer and a block by Addison Hansen.

Another kill by Berwick put the Bulldogs up 24-20 en route to the 25-21 win.

In the third set, the net play of Elsie Wilson led Bainville to a 14-11 lead. Consecutive kills by Berwick put the margin at 17-13. North Country battled back to 20-20 on kills by CharLee McColly and Lylith Bear, but a serve by Wilson and a kill by Berwick put the Bulldogs ahead 24-22.

After the Mavericks scored on a kill by Emerson Downing, Bainville won the third set on a kill by Berwick.

The Bulldogs fell behind by a 9-5 margin in the fifth set, but a kill by Miah Pippenger, a block by Wilson and an ace by Addison Hansen pulled Bainville to 9-8. Wilson then scored a kill for a 9-9 deadlock.

Another kill by Wilson tied the match at 12-12, but the Mavericks gained a 14-12 lead and held on for the victory.

Leaders for the Bulldogs included Berwick with 21 and Wilson with 15 kills.

Butikofer finished with 34 assists and 27 digs. Berwick added 27 digs.

Johnna Ryder and Butikofer each served three aces. Chandi Johnson had two blocks.

Circle defeated North Country, 25-8, 25-18, 25-14, in the Eastren C divisional championship match.