By Don Ogle
Sidney battles Gering
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October 20, 2017
FILE PHOTO
Sidney senior Natalie Radcliffe spikes the ball between two Gering defenders Makenzie Dunkill, No. 16, and Carlee Brester, No. 20 during a recent match. Sidney defeated Gering in five sets Tuesday. Sidney plays in the Alliance Pink Tournament this weekend.
GERING - One thing is certain when you watch a match between Western Conference foes. No matter the outcome, you'll see a hard-fought battle.
That was the case Tuesday when the Sidney Lady Raiders travelled to Gering for a conference match - the second battle between the teams in two weeks.
The teams fought through a three-set match in the finals of the Western Conference Volleyball Tournament at Sidney on Nov. 7 with the Lady Raiders coming out on top 2-1.
The battle continued Tuesday, this time with Gering on its home court, with the teams alternating sets until Sidney forced a fifth and determining race to 15 for the match.
Sidney jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the last set, but as proved numerous times throughout the match, a lead is never a sure thing. Gering came back to take a 6-4 lead and then Sidney reversed the tide in the see-saw battle.
Trailing 6-7, Sidney's Mattie Johnson tied the score with an ace serve, then rattled off three more service points and a 10-7 Sidney lead. A Gering timeout did break Johnson's streak, but on the ensuing play Sidney senior Payton Jung smashed down the first of two kills, taking Sidney to the brink of the win, 13-10.
A long hit put Sidney at match point, then Jung closed the door with a hit into an uncovered corner to give Sidney the win, 23-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-21, 15-10.
Sidney moves to 17-11 on the season and Gering is now 14-14. Sidney plays in the Alliance Pink Tournament this weekend, then travels to Kimball next Tuesday for its final regular season match.
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