The McLennan Highlanders battled for another conference road win, taking the 3-2 victory over the North Central Lions in Gainesville.
The teams appeared evenly matched in the first two sets as they both battled for points. In the opener, North Central built a three-point lead at 16-13. McLennan rallied to tie the game at 20 and ended the set on a 5-2 run to take it 25-20.
In the second, it was once again back-and-forth for the first part. The Lions began to pull away midway through, going up by four at 13-9. The Highlander didn't back down and rallied to tie the game at 14. McLennan then took the lead at 17-15. The Highlanders held the lead at 21-20 but North Central battled to take the set 25-23.
McLennan stepped up in the third set, building a three-point lead early and continuing to lead by three at 13-10. The Highlanders were hot, breaking the set open to go up by nine at 21-12. The Lions found a rhythm in the second time through the service rotation and trimmed the lead back to three. But, it would be McLennan holding on to take it 25-21.
Set four was tied at five when North Central began a rally. The Lions went up 6-5 and scored four points when McLennan called a time out 10-5. The Highlanders side out it needed following the stoppage in play but couldn't capitalize on it to cut into the lead. With the momentum, the Lions pushed the lead to nine, 16-7. McLennan was able to rally to trim the lead to five late at 21-16 but North Central held off the charge to take the set 25-18.
McLennan took first serve in the deciding set and quickly jumped out to a four-point lead and led 8-1 at the switch. North Central was able to pull within five a couple times down the stretch but that was all as the Highlanders took the set 15-6.
McLennan returns home Wednesday, hosting Ranger at 6 p.m.
Match
McLennan 25 23 25 18 15 | 3
North Central 22 25 21 25 6 | 2
