Nonleague games can be tricky in any sport.

The Northwestern Lehigh girls volleyball found that out the hard way and has suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this season in games against Pottsville and Freedom, two teams not in the Colonial League.

Both teams are also seen as strong and competitive teams with Pottsville being in the same 3A classification as Northwestern, meaning they could meet again in districts.

Leah Nagle recorded 11 kills against Pottsville to lead the team and led in digs with 18 for Northwestern Lehigh. On the season, Nagle has 38 kills and 10 blocks, both good enough to rank her second on the team in those categories.

The Lady Tigers (6-1 Colonial, 6-3 overall) have taken straight set wins in every game that they have won this season. Their latest win came against Palmerton as they beat the Blue Bombers 25-12, 25-13, and 25-20.

In the opening set, Kayla Schaffer, Lexi George and Alex Diehl handled the service points for Northwestern with both Schaffer and George picking up aces. Palmerton (1-6, 1-8) found some success on serves with Sadie Gair and Morgan Wayda picking up aces for the Bombers, but the Tigers continued to build on their scoring advantage for a 25-12 win in the opener.

“We always look to come out strong and set the tone for the game,” said junior Daisy Stringer. “We were able to do that tonight and we’ve done that in the past against teams, and it definitely helps us.”

Schaffer and George again gave Palmerton problems in the second set with George picking up two more aces and getting nine points off serves. As the Blue Bombers attempted to fight back, Hailey Barry and Elizabeth Keiper each picked up a kill, but again Palmerton was unable to hold serve and Northwestern took a 25-13 win.

In the third set Northwestern head coach Mike Maston was able to mix in a few players who are roistered on both the varsity and JV teams to give them varsity experience while still keeping some regulars on the court to help the younger players.

“I think we’ve been playing well, definitely the best we’ve played in a while,” said Stringer, who leads the team 48 kills and ranks second in serving aces with 20. “We’re working together as a team, and I think we are doing exactly what we are supposed to do to get wins.”

The third set bounced back and forth for much of the set with Palmerton’s Mikayla Maxwell serving up three aces and Dalainey Keiser adding another. Keiser finished the night with three service aces to her credit. In the end, Northwestern’s young players seemed to grow more comfortable as the set went on and the Lady Tigers won the set 25-20, breaking serve for their last three points.

“We were trying to give them some court time,” said Maston of the dual roster players. “If we get an injury, I need to have them come off the bench and be able to feel somewhat comfortable out there, so it’s important to mix them in when we have a chance.”

“I thought we communicated well tonight. The best part of our game is our hitting and recognizing what they’re running for a defense on the other side. I watched some film on them and was able to tell the girls what to expect from them defensively and our girls responded well and recognized what they were facing.”

The Tigers play at Pen Argyl (3-4, 4-5) and then hit the court for four games in six days next week against Saucon Valley (4-3, 4-3), Catasauqua (0-7, 1-10), and Southern Lehigh (7-0, 7-0) before facing Nazareth (5-4, 5-4) at home on Saturday.