Cougars win 5-set thriller over Tigers

   ACKLEY- It’s not the start but the finish that counts.

   AGWSR started slow before rallying for a highly-intense five-set victory over the South Hardin volleyball team here Tuesday during a North Iowa Cedar League West Conference match.

   The Tigers posted wins of 25-19, 25-17 followed by Cougar victories of 25-21, 26-24 and 15-12.

   Riding the momentum of a narrow win in game four, AGWSR scored the first six points of the deciding fifth. The Tigers clawed back to 10-all on Jaidyn Teske and Ellie Anderson back-to-back kills. A Brynn Smith block build the Cougars a 12-10 lead and the host’s celebrated the come-from-behind victory with a South Hardin hit into the net.

   “Always coming off a victory in game four and going into the fifth gives you momentum,” said AGWSR  coach Jill Smith, “But the fifth set is really anyone’s game. It is just a fast and short set. I thought we came out with composure in the fifth.”

   Game four was a roller coaster ride for the two teams that ended with high-fives for the Cougars and frustration for the Tigers. AGWSR closed on a 7-1 run and dodged a match-point. 

For the full story see Friday's edition of the paper.