The Northampton girls volleyball team played a strong opening set in their first match of the season, but they could not sustain that momentum as they dropped a 25-15, 11-25, 17-25, 23-25 contest to Liberty in Memorial Gymnasium.

Outstanding hustle and defense were the cornerstones for the undersized K-Kids in taking the first set. They excelled at keeping the ball off the floor, forcing the Hurricanes to try to win long rallies. “That’s kind of been our goal, to touch everything that’s coming our way,” explained head coach Helene Quaintance. “That’s what we’ve really been working on.”

Northampton jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second set, but from there everything went sideways. The ‘Canes ran off 10 of the next 11 points scored in the match and finished the set on a 10-2 run to even the match at a set apiece.

The Kids made a better showing in the third set, keeping the score close through the halfway point. Liberty used a pair of four-point runs to create the distance they needed to go up 2 sets to 1.

Northampton threatened to extend the match to the five-set limit. They built a 15-12 lead at the midway point and still clung to a 19-all tie as the proceedings wound down. However, some defensive struggles opened the door to a Hurricanes’ 4-point run that proved to be enough to solidify their winning position.

“We’re not super-duper duper big, so we have to keep the ball off the floor,” said Quaintance. “Their (Liberty’s) setter is very smart and they’re big outside and they’re also smart hitters. We were a little soft in the middle, but we’ll figure it out. It’s early on.”

For the match, Liberty outhit Northampton 29 kills to 19.

NHS 25 – 11 – 17 - 23

Liberty 15 – 25 - 25 - 25

Northampton stat leaders: Maddy Taff 5 kills, 2 blocks. Claire Luckenbach 4 kills, 4 digs, 3 aces. Averie Morgan 3 kills, 6 digs, 3 blocks. Cyd Chilson 3 kills, 8 assists, 11 digs 3 aces. Gracie Doward 3 kills, 5 digs, 3 aces. Grace Wolfel 4 assists, 20 digs.