Tippecanoe Valley raises the horns after a timeout in the third game of a 3-0 win over the Northfield Norse Thursday in volleyball. (Photos by Mike Deak)

AKRON – Tippecanoe Valley, in a big week for the school, made sure it kept the ship moving in the right direction. As Homecoming festivities kept rolling Thursday and a big night planned Friday, the Lady Vikings got back to basics and dropped the Northfield Norse 3-0 in volleyball in front of a very supportive home following.

Lexi O’Connell takes a swing for Valley. O’Connell had three huge kills in the game one win.

After a tremendously disappointing weekend at the Wawasee tournament that had Valley go 1-3 including losses against Columbia City and Wabash teams it had already beaten during the season, coach Mallory Eaton wanted to see her team get back to what has worked. Request granted as a well-rounded effort Thursday had momentum stay on the Viking side of the net despite tight scores.

Northfield actually led late in the first game, taking a 20-18 lead after Valley was called for four touches. But a familiar theme this season emerged for the green and gold, with Lexi O’Connell smacking three kills in a span of four points, leading to a 25-22 Valley win.

Game two was all Valley in a 25-14 final. Tippy took an 11-4 lead and a series of unforced errors from the Norse kept the score lopsided. Abby Betten started to get loose, slamming home one of her team-high nine kills as the boisterous student body began to take over.

Madi Miller was all smiles for Valley.

“I was curious after last week how we would respond,” Eaton said of her team returning to action after the Wawasee tourney disaster. “We played seven matches that week, but that’s no excuse. The biggest thing was life throws you hard things, and how do you respond. If this was last week, some of those pivotal moments tonight, we would have been done. But tonight we responded, and got the job done. I was very proud of that.”

Game three became a battle of attrition. Valley led 19-18 but got a boost from one of its unheralded. Sophie Bussard played a huge role down the stretch for Valley, registering consecutive aces and pounding a kill in a four-point stretch. Bussard also had 11 digs in the match. The 25-21 win sent Valley to 5-1 overall in the Three Rivers Conference, keeping pace with Maconaquah (5-1) and Rochester (6-0) atop the conference standings.

“We have literally just gone back to basics, working on movement,” Eaton said. “My big message to them was, whatever we do, let’s do it together. The only way you’re going to make it far, whether it’s in the season or the tournament, is everyone has to be on the same page. If everyone is on the same page, and they’re willing to give it up for their teammates, we can do anything we want.”

Tippecanoe Valley (15-8) will hit the road for three straight, beginning with Oak Hill Monday and Culver Community Thursday. The third roadie is a huge showdown Oct. 5 at Rochester.

“I want to create the culture here where this matters,” Eaton said. “Whether it’s cheering every point like it’s the last point, or the students getting involved, or whatever. I want this to feel like a big team. I want this to be something the kids are proud of. It’s slowly coming around, and we’ll get there. If we are playing well and having fun, people will come watch. I thought tonight was great, and should be a nice lift for us going forward.”

The Tippecanoe Valley student section was in fine form as Homecoming week rolled on Thursday at the Valley-Northfield volleyball game.