Milan High School was the site for a volleyball trifecta on Monday evening, September 24, with the freshman teams of South Ripley and Milan squaring off to get the battle underway.

With three matches set for the evening, the battle began at 5 p.m., with hosting Milan claiming back to back game wins of 25-12 and 25- 18 for the match victory.

JV action followed with a quite similar outcome. That being the hosting Indians gaining the controlling hand for what could be a tribal sweep on the night, posting JV back to back game victories for their match with scores of 25-14 and 25-17.

However, the South Ripley Lady Raider varsity had another idea in mind for the concluding act of the evening.

Following the singing of The National Anthem by varsity Lady Indian junior Alexis Owens and the introduction of players and coaches for both teams by announcer David Voss, the Lady Raiders proceeded to pull off a match upset victory, winning three consecutive games by scores of 25-21, 25-20 and 25-14.

Varsity Game One

A close battle began to unfold in the early going with Milan opening service, leading to ties at one, two and three.

That would prove to be the true battle of the game as SR went on a seven to one binge to lead 10-4 behind senior Lady Raider server Rachel Hensley (9).

At 13-6, the Lady Raiders mounted yet another attack, taking them to a 17-7 edge over MHS behind the serving of talented sophomore Hayley Schwarte (5).

The Lady Raiders continued to pretty much have their way to a score of 24-14.

Enter ther MHS strongest drive of the evening, behind Lady Indian junior server, Brooklyn Honnert (9).

Lady Indian Honnert served up excitement into the opening game, rallying her team back to mere three point deficit at 21-24, before the Lady Raiders put the opener to rest with a final count of SR 25-21 Milan.

The varsity opening battle looked to be the beginning of a trying but rewarding night of competition. That would prove not to be the case as the evening wore on.

Varsity Game Two

South Ripley Lady Raider senior Kayla Mills opened service in game two of the varsity match. The Lady Indians proceeded to claim the game two advantage at 3-1 before relenting.

Ties were attained at 3, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 19 before SR edged out a two point lead at 22-20.

Remaining game two scoring resulted in a Lady Raider game two victory at 25-20 behind the service of senior Rachel Hensley (9).

Leading the match count two games to none, SR was in the drivers seat, but not out of the woods just yet.

Varsity Game Three

With their backs against the wall, trailing in the match count 0-2, Milan opened service in game three.

However, the Lady Indian side of the net was filled with mostly MHS JV team players. Holding their own, the young Lady Indians opened on the service line.

One and done led to ties at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10, before Lady Indian junior Kayla Peetz drove her shoulder hard into the hardwood on a return attempt, forcing her removal from the contest.

Lady Raider senior, Rachel Hensley (9) served her team to a 24-11 advantage before relenting at 24-12.

The Lady Indian attempt to gain ground on the visiting South Ripley Lady Raiders resulted in their falling by a final match, three games to one count at 14-25.

Remaining schedules:

SRHS

9/25 vs S. Dearborn@ 5:30

9/27 vs Sw Hanover @ 6:00

10/1 @ East Central @ 5:30

10/4 @ Shawe Mem. @ 6:00

10/9 vs Rising Sun @ 6:00

10/11 @ Switz. Co. @ 6:00

10/12 vs Jac-Cen-Del @ 6:00

MHS

9/25 @ Lawrenceburg @ 5:00

9/27 @ East Central @ 5:00

10/1 vs Switzerland Co. @ 6:00

10/2 @ Greensburg @ 5:00

10/4 vs No. Decatur @ 6:00

10/6 @ Herritage Hills

Inv. @ 9:00 AM

10/13 @ Union County @ 6:00