Ontario volleyball team spikes first win
Tigers log 3-1 win over Nyssa

Sunday, September 14, 2008 12:24 AM PDT

Ray Rodriguez | Argus Observer Ontario’s Leila Feibert (right) sends a kill shot over the net while Nyssa’s Lacey Jones (12) and Karina Armenta (30) attempt to block the offering. Ontario defeated Nyssa 3-1 for the Tigers first win of the season.

Argus Observer Sports Staff

Nyssa—Finally.

After many tournament games, a tough non-league schedule and countless hours in practice, the Ontario volleyball team was able break the seal on the 2008 season with a 3-1 win over Nyssa Saturday in non-league action in Nyssa.

“It’s a good thing to get that first win out of the way,” Ontario’s Kendra Babcock said. “Now that we have that first win, the momentum will carry us, where hopefully, we can get more wins. I think the frustration was building in all of us, but we took that and used it as motivation.”

The Tigers won the opener 25-23, and Nyssa battled hard to tie the match at 1 with a 27-25 win in the second game.

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Ontario took a 2-1 advantage with a 25-19 win in the third game, and polished off the Bulldogs with a 27-25 decision in the fourth game.

With the score knotted at 25 in the fourth game, Nyssa head coach Jennifer Jespersen was called for an illegal substitution, giving Ontario a point, and a 26-25 lead.

On the next serve, Nyssa bobbled the return, the ball landed on the hardwood and Ontario clinched its first victory.

One thing Jespersen did not see was the same fire in her team from just few days before.

“The intensity level in this match wasn’t the same as Tuesday,” Jespersen said. “It was a great learning experience for the girls. Hopefully the girls were able to see the difference when they’re working together and communicating. We have to work together and play at our level every time.”

Nyssa’s Victoria Rodriguez had nine kills and Katie Booth added 31 assists. Karina Armenta chipped in six kills, and Kimber Wagstaff added five kills.

For Ontario, Babcock hit 13 kills, Hayley Reever dished up 33 assists, Isabel Feibert added 21 digs and Kelcie Rupe had seven service aces.

Calls to Ontario head volleyball coach were not returned for comments.