Poplar’s Volleyball Squad Wins Close Match Against Sidney

Poplar’s volleyball squad emerged with a narrow five-set victory over Sidney during non-conference volleyball play on Tuesday, Oct. 8.

The Indians came away with a 28-30, 25-20, 25-18, 2628, 15-6, victory.

With the fifth and deciding set deadlocked at 4-4, Poplar gained a 9-5 lead on a kill by Ashlyn Bull Chief and the service of Quintana Young.

Ahead by a 9-6 margin, the Indians ran off the final six points of the match including serves by Toni Brown and three kills by Braelyn Nordwick.

The match opened with the Eagles earning a 30-28 victory in the first set. The serving of Rebecca Gorder got the Indians out to a strong start in the second set. Three aces by Lilliana O’Neal produced a 10-1 advantage.

Sidney, however, battled back to 21-20, but Poplar stayed ahead on a tip by Bull Chief. Poplar ended the second set with a block by O’Neal and an ace by Nordwick.

The third set was even at 15-15 until the serving of Nordwick and a spike by Lanie Moran created a 20-15 advantage.

After the serving of Gorder helped Poplar take a 24-17 lead, the Indians scored the final point of the set on a kill by Makenzie Crawford.

The Eagles forced a fifth set by scoring the final two points including one on a kill by Hayden Miller.

Nordwick accounted for 13 kills and 34 digs.

Gorder finished with 10 aces and 32 assists. O’Neal had three blocks.