Hornets defeat Nelson County

Harvey-Wells County continued their solid play as they defeated the Nelson County Chargers 3-1 on Thursday, October 5, in Fessenden.

The Hornets and Chargers started game one in close contention but that changed quickly as the Hornets' Taylor Nelson served nine straight points, helping HWC open up a 12-3 lead. Jessie Monsebroten's two kills kept Nelson County within range until a mini run with two kills from Rachel Neumiller and an ace from Nelson lifted the Hornets to a 20-11 lead. The Hornets clinched set one on the back of a block from Braylee Keller, winning 25-15.

Another close game to start the second set had the Chargers leading by one early. Braylee Keller's two kills and ace moved HWC out to a four point lead at 8-4. Once again, the Hornets serving game hit a groove, as Neumiller served eight points in a row which included two aces and kills from Ashley Keller and Kali Fike, as HWC moved the lead to 19-6. Nelson County scored three straight with help from a kill by Brooke Watkins and an ace from Riley Lippert. HWC flexed their muscles late and got two kills from Rylee Jones, one from Braylee Keller and one from Ashley Keller as they sealed set two, 25-11.

Nelson County started strong in set three and maintained very steady play throughout. The Chargers opened up an 11-6 lead just to see it evaporate to a two-point advantage with kills from Ashley Keller and Christalea Wagner. Emily Larson spurred on a 7-3 run with a kill as the visitors led, 18-12. A misjudged kill from HWC gave the Chargers their largest lead at 21-14, but the Hornets had a little game left to show. Ashley Keller slammed down two kills, cutting the lead to 21-18, but Nelson County answered with a Brandi Lippert kill and led, 23-18. HWC got another kill from Ashley Keller and one from Neumiller to cut the lead to 23-22, but kills from Larson and Brandi Lippert gave the Chargers the 25-22 set three win.