Merrill holds off Marshfield volleyball

Marshfield’s Lindsey Steffen attempts a kill during Thursday’s Wisconsin Valley Conference volleyball match against Merrill at Marshfield High School. Merrill won, 3-2. (Photo by Paul Lecker/MarshfieldAreaSports.com)

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MarshfieldAreaSports.com

MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield volleyball team almost pulled off another huge comeback, but this time the Tigers fell short, losing 3-2 to Merrill in a Wisconsin Valley Conference match Thursday night at Marshfield High School.

Merrill won the first two games 27-25, 26-24, before the Tigers roared back to take the next two 25-16, 25-19. However, the Bluejays were able to hold off Marshfield’s momentum and won the fifth set 15-12, to improve to 5-2 in the WVC. Marshfield is now 3-4.

Marshfield had set points in each of the first two sets but couldn’t close the deal. The Tigers led the first set 24-22 after two kills by Casey Frankland, only to see Merrill earn a sideout on a block kill by Nicole Zoellner.

Kelly Page had three kills and Jordyn Henrich added another to give Merrill a 27-25 win.

Marshfield was again serving for the win at the end of the second game. A kill by Alani Carter gave Marshfield a 24-23 lead but the Bluejays again were able to fight back, earn a sideout, and win it on another Henrich tip kill, 26-24.

The Tigers were able to regroup in the next two sets to force a fifth, but couldn’t secure the win.

Lindsey Steffen had 21 kills, Taylor Barwick had 28 assists, and Kaydee Johnson finished with 22 digs to lead Marshfield in each category. Brooklyn Boushack added 11 kills, Bailey Matis had 16 assists, and Kati Sadowska had 20 digs as well for the Tigers.

Marshfield will compete at the Lodi Invitational on Saturday.