FAIRBURY - What a difference a year makes. In the 2024 season opener, Herscher handed Prairie Central its third straight loss. This time, the Hawks flipped the script, pulling out a three-set victory Thursday night over the visiting Tigers to improve to 2-1 on the season.
Prairie Central dropped the opening set 23-25, but showed composure under pressure to even the match with a 25-23 win in the second. The Hawks then dominated the deciding set, cruising to a 25-9 finish.
"There was a very long delay tonight and the girls did a great job of pushing through it and finishing out the set for the match win," said head coach Kirsten Smith. "It was definitely a late home match but it was worth it in the end. I am so proud of these girls."Balance proved to be the difference. Outside hitter Miranda Hari turned in a standout all-around performance with 12 kills, 12 digs, nine service points and three aces. Setter Kyah Creek directed the offense with 22 assists and added seven kills. At the net, Mia Elliott contributed three assisted blocks while scoring 12 service points and four aces. Defensively, libero Paige Young anchored the back row with 18 digs as the Hawks’ coverage frustrated Herscher in the final two sets.
"The girls played as a unit so well tonight and definitely gave their solid effort," Smith added. "Our setter, Kyah Creek, did a great job at seeing both sides of the court and knowing when to tip."The Hawks are off to a stronger start than last year, when they finished 15-22 and seventh in the Illini Prairie Conference. They will next test their progress at the Livingston County Tournament on Saturday.
Earlier, Prairie Central's sophomore squad lost in straight sets 25-15, 25-20. The freshman squad also took down their opponents after third-set rally, winning 25-22, 24-26, 16-14.
