Thursday night, the Patriots hosted the Ipswich Tigers in Tulare. The Tigers came into the match with a solid record, after a big win over Mobridge-Pollock on Monday night. In set one, the Patriots and Tigers played almost point for point until the Patriots would go on a run towards the end of the set and win set one 25-22.
Set two, the Patriots came out hitting and serving aggressively as they would get up by 10 on the Tigers, but the Tigers would come roaring back and get within four of the Patriots, until the Patriots would finish the set off by winning 25-21.
The Tigers did not go away quietly as they would get a big lead on the Patriots. The Patriots would come back, but it was a little to late. The Tigers won set three, 25-17.
Set four, both teams played back and forth until Ipswich would go on a run late in the set and win set four 25-19 and set up the deciding set five.
In set five, the Patriots would receive and eventually build a six point lead. Once again, the Tigers came roaring back and get within three. The Patriots would go on to win set five 15-10 and take the match 3-2.
Leading the way for the Patriots was Katelyn Schroeder with a new game record 26 kills. Isabel Gilbert came up with some big kills and tallied 10. Ella Johnson added 8 kills and Rebecca Huizenga would chip in 7 kills.
Ella led the Patriots with 3 aces. Gracyn Bixler and Presley Binger each had 19 assists as they both orchestrated the Patriot offense.
Defensively, Schroeder led the team with a whopping 31 digs and Cambree Hoekman would be right behind her with 25 digs.
The Patriots (11-15) travel to Woonsocket on Tuesday night to take on the Blackhawks in a 281 conference match up. Jr. High is slated to begin at 5:15 p.m, followed by JV and Varsity.