Due to two unfortunate injuries to two top hitters, Northwestern volleyball head coach Lexi Ashburne had to adjust the Tigers’ lineup yet again for Tuesday’s Colonial League match against Palmerton. One of the biggest changes was shifting senior Sam McGinley from outside hitter into the middle.

And while things looked shaky at times for the Tigers as a unit, McGinley looked impressive in the middle. She finished with a game-high six kills as the Tigers (5-5) swept Palmerton in straight sets (25-20, 25-20, 25-20).

“I’m constantly switching my lineup,” Ashburne said. “You’ll notice that during warm-ups I don’t run it because I want to watch it. I’m deciding in that moment who is stepping up today to play. I have like 50 lineups and I can run any of them, and the players are flexible.

“This is why tonight was a little bit scrappy, because they’ve never played this lineup before. We didn’t expect to lose Ella [Carson], of course.”

Carson, a junior defensive specialist, will miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury. Sara Jenkins, a junior middle hitter, is expected back soon after suffering a concussion last week.

Despite its play not looking pretty at times, Northwestern was able to get back to .500 overall without two of its starters. And McGinley played a big part in that in her new position.

Down 5-3 early in the first set, the Tigers fought all the way back to tie the set at 14 all. Northwestern scored six of the next seven points, capped by a service ace from McGinle, to put the Tigers in control at 20-15.

“We can always improve,” McGinley said. “We need to carry our momentum into the next game and pick it up even more. Just playing together as a team is the biggest thing we need to work on and communication. But we’ll definitely get there.”

The Tigers once again fell into an early hole, which is a bit uncharacteristic of them compared to prior years. But a 6-4 deficit in set two was quickly erased.

After a kill from McGinley put Northwestern ahead 13-9, a Palmerton error on the next play made it 14-9. McGinley came up with another kill shortly later for a 16-9 Tiger advantage. A kill and service ace from senior middle hitter Lindsey Rex closed out the set.

“If I were to give an MVP, I would have given it to Sam,” Ashburne said. “She is running plays fast and quick. I’m excited to see her thrive in the middle because she is usually on the outside. But I have a lot of kids that can go anywhere, which is amazing.”

Northwestern trailed 10-7 in the third set before regaining control. McGinley came up with a clutch block at the net for a 13-12 Tiger lead, and an ace from senior defense specialist Megan Corke made it 17-14. Senior Kylie Wade’s kill kept Northwestern’s lead at 18-15, and Rex came up with another spike for the final point.

“In years past we haven’t been finishing teams, but this year we are a finishing team and not a starting team,” Ashburne said. “I guess I’d prefer it this way if I had to pick. Tonight was sort of like a warm-up. Saucon Valley tomorrow is going to be a big game.”

Senior setter Brynn Buschta had 17 assists and four kills, while Rex finished with three kills and two blocks at the net.