Poplar Drops Match In Malta

The Poplar Indians put up a great fight but lost in Malta on Saturday, Oct. 14. Poplar fell by a 21-25, 16-25, 27-29 final.

A kill by Braelyn Nordwick put the Indians ahead 16-14 in the first set, but Malta moved ahead by a 20-18 margin.

Poplar bounced back with three straight points on a tip by EmmaRae Martell and two aces by Kessee Erickson for a 21-20 advantage. Malta struck for the final five points of the opening set.

The net play of Nordwick kept the Indians close early in the second set. After Malta gained an 18-13 lead, Nordwick accounted for a kill and ace to cut the margin to 18-15.

A kill by Poplar’s Erickson closed the margin to 21-16, but Malta then tallied the last four points of the set.

The Indians earned a 2419 advantage in the third set. Malta took a 25-24 lead, but the Indians saved two match points including one on a tip by Rebecca Gorder that tied the score at 26-26.

Poplar held a 27-26 lead, but Malta accounted for the match’s final three points.

The Indians will head to Harlem on Saturday, Oct. 21.