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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 30, 2005 Resilient South rallies to knock off North netters By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune The South Medford volleyball team faced a steep uphill battle Thursday night in a hostile environment. The Panthers were down two games to none with all the momentum leaning toward rival North Medford’s side. South Medford, however, turned the corner with three straight wins behind strong play from its front line to clinch a 30-32, 21-25, 25-18, 25-17, 15-13 victory at the North Medford High Gym. South’s victory was its third straight in Southern Oregon Conference play over North after snapping an 18-year, 36-match losing streak to the Tornado last season. "This group of girls has made this a little more of a rivalry with them," said Panther coach Adam Wagman. "It’s hard ‘cause there wasn’t a lot we could have done different in that first game. Advertisement "Everybody just strapped down and went out and made plays after that." Senior middle blocker Chenoa Coviare and senior right side Marissa Towry combined to control the front for South (7-6, 4-3 SOC) over the last three games. "We decided we wanted to make a run and do some of the little things to get back in it," said Towry, who, along with Coviare, had 12 kills. Coviare was exceptionally strong in Game 4, contributing to a five-point swing that pushed the Panther lead to 14-6 with three kills and one block. "It seemed like we gave up towards the end of the second game," said the 6-foot-1 Coviare. "I think in that third game, we started saying we could win this thing." North Medford gained the edge up front in the first two games and led 3-0 in the decisive fifth contest. "We started playing mini games to three," Coviare said of the fifth-game deficit. "That helped us stay focused and not get too down." Tied at 13-all, South closed out the match with a Tori Glover kill and an ace by Emily Marshall. The Black Tornado (9-7, 4-3 SOC) rallied from a four-point deficit to take the marathon opener. North again climbed out of a hole in the second game but started to play tentatively over the final three contests. "That’s lack of experience," said Tornado coach Ron Beick of his senior-less roster. "When you have a team down 2-0, an experienced team will know how to stay aggressive. We backed off on the passing and that allowed South to dictate the tempo." The Panthers jumped out to a 21-14 lead in Game 3 and didn’t let up. In the fourth game, South Medford’s advantage ballooned to 24-13 at one point. "We got back to being disciplined," said Wagman. "That’s where our senior leadership really took over." Coviare, Towry and sophomore middle Glover had four blocks apiece to pace South. Senior setter Simone Hubbard contributed a game-high 38 assists to go with three aces, while Marshall, a senior outside hitter, led the defense with 22 digs. Hubbard spent last season as the backup setter before taking the starting role this year. "She’s done a super job," said Wagman. "She was in the middle of everything tonight." For North, junior middle Lauren Berger slammed home 15 kills and had five blocks and three aces. Sophomore outside hitter Whitney Hodnett contributed 10 kills and 13 digs, while junior setter Kylie Schwarm had 22 assists. Both teams enter the second half of SOC play tied at 4-3, one game behind Roseburg and Grants Pass for second and three games behind unbeaten Ashland. "As I’ve said before, I really think the middle of this league is very close," said Beick. "Every game is very important from here on out." Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail Resilient South rallies to knock off North netters ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Online Casino Reviews Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Discount Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Advertisement s