Senior night synonymous with battle

Lady Cougars go down swinging

WARDEN — The Lady Cougars had a tough task for senior night, facing unbeaten River View.

The Lady Panthers had not been beaten going into Tuesday's game and it would remain that way after the fifth game ended. Despite the unbeaten record, Warden gave River View a run for their money, losing 20-25, 25-23, 15-25, 25-18, 13-15.

"I was pleased with the job the girls did tonight," said Warden coach Jeff Kottong. "River View is undefeated in league play, so we had our work cut out for us."

The fifth game began with all the momentum on Warden's side.

Ivory Kisler was first to serve for the Lady Cougars and she quickly made it 3-0.

River View responded with six straight points before siding out.

Warden fell behind 5-11 but were far from finished when Lyles stepped back to serve.

Lyles served three point to put her team back in the running 9-11 before siding out.

During River View's next serving rotation the second replay of the night was called and resulted in a side out, giving Warden one more chance at the match.

Berg stepped up to serve three points and make it 13-14 when a bobbled set caused a side out and a win for River View, 15-13.

"It was an excellent game," said Kottong. "If you have to pick a name, I'd pick Casey Berg. She did an excellent job outside tonight."

In the first game, River View jumped out to a 14-8 lead against the Lady Cougars. Then Mirielle Pixton stepped behind the line and changed the momentum for her team.

Pixton pulled her team to within two, 16-18, serving an ace before River View was forced to call a time-out.

Warden's final score of the first game came off of a kill from Ashton Stott for a sideout but the Lady Cougars were unable to pull off the upset, losing 20-25.

"Ashton has played well for us all year," Kottong said.

In the second game, it was Jessica Lyles who got her team fired up, serving five service point to put her team up 12-8 before siding out.

River View came back with some steam of their own, managing to make it a tight game, 15-16, before siding out.

Warden was able to pull through the momentum shifts of the second game for a 25-23 win.

In game three, River View came out ready to play and their third server in the rotation was able to reinforce their fire, serving eight points, including an ace to start the scoring run off.

River View's next server scored three consecutive aces before hitting a serve long to end her stint behind the line.

It was more of the same from the Lady Panthers' next server, who scored six straight points for her squad.

The Lady Panthers served out the match for a 25-15 win.

In game four, the momentum was all Warden's.

Pixton stepped behind the line for her team and scored six consecutive points, including one ace. Casey Berg and Stott played extremely well at the net to keep Pixton serving.

Berg added another three points to the fourth game effort, making it 14-9, before siding out.

Pixton was at the line serving again when the first replay of the game was called. Pixton remedied what had initially been a long rally with a quick ace serve, the second of her serving rotation.

"Pixton has been a leader on the court and is one of our co-captains," Kottong said.

Lyles served out the match for Warden and gave her team the 25-18 win.

Senior night honored Pixton, Marce Villegas, Berg, Lyles and Tiffany Cole.

Pixton finished the night with five aces, 12 kills, six blocks and 19 passes. Stott was 7 of 7 serving with 15 kills, four blocks and 16 passes. Lyles was 21 of 22 serving with two kills. Kisler had two aces, five kills and 42 assists. Villegas had nine kills and 18 passes. Berg was 12 of 12 serving with 12 kills.