Betty Barnett was a force for Warsaw Tuesday against Northridge, collecting a team-high 12 kills. (Photos by Mike Deak)

WARSAW – When Warsaw needed a charge, it went to Betty Barnett.

The charismatic sophomore stepped up to the challenge and made a her presence known in Warsaw’s 3-0 win over Northridge Tuesday in Northern Lakes Conference volleyball action at the Tiger Den.

Northridge head coach Jodie Steele admitted afterwards she didn’t know exactly who to cover in Warsaw’s multi-faceted offense, but pointed out Barnett following her 12 kill performance.

Katie Swanson touches over.

“We tried to key on (Barnett) quite a bit,” stated Steele. “We’re still working on closing out that block and remembering. Yeah, (Barnett). And just their setter (Kacy Bragg), she’s so dynamic. It’s like we were jumping with her when she was in the back row. So we were a little undisciplined there. She’s dynamic, she sees our middle go one way, she goes the other.”

Barnett had a pair of kills in game one that took the scoreline from a one-point Warsaw lead midway through to a commanding 25-16 runaway. Another two Barnett kills and an ace helped Warsaw grab a 13-11 lead in game two. Another two solid swings produced points, and her kill at 22-15 was a dagger. Warsaw would go onto win game two also at 25-16.

“She always brings the energy. Today she was on a little bit more and Kacy recognized it and went to her,” said Warsaw head coach Rick Ashmore of Barnett. “There’s been times when she’s stopped by matchups. But I’ve seen her do it many times. She’s a good kid and works very hard, great work ethic and she always wants to get better.”

As the first two games were, the play early on in the third saw Northridge hang around, but not be able to find a way to stop Warsaw from making a late run. The Raiders played some scrappy defense to pull within four at 16-12, but a service error ended the rally, then Barnett subbed back in. Immediately, she registered two kills among the next five points and Warsaw was well on its way to a 25-15 closer and the three-game sweep.

Erin Peugh jump serves.

“We had a lot of unforced errors to start out,” Ashmore said. “We’re a third of the way through the season and finally play a home game. The kids were extra pumped. Probably too pumped and not relaxing. That third set we finally got a bit more relaxed and they played their game. We finally played at home, that’s good.”

Warsaw, which opened with five duals and two tournaments on the road, now are beginning a three-game homestand with Penn and Columbia City coming to the Tiger Den in the next week.

Barnett added three digs, two aces and a block among her showcase. The Warsaw defense was stout, coming up with 57 digs on the night, led by Kylie Smith’s 14 and Erin Peugh’s 12. Kacy Bragg added 28 assists, 10 digs and three blocks, and Katie Swanson also gave Warsaw some weaponry with seven kills and four aces off powerful jump serves.

The Warsaw JV also found success against Northridge in a 25-15, 25-18 result. Gwyn Bellamy paced the Tigers with five kills and five blocks. McKenna Hawblitzel had eight digs and Abbie Porter sent up 13 assists.

In the freshman contest, Warsaw also won in two, 25-13, 25-18. Sadie Walden had five kills and three aces and Maddy Schannep added four aces, three digs and two kills.

Warsaw moves to 12-2 on the season and 3-0 in the NLC. Ridge drops to 3-11 and 0-2 in NLC play. The Lady Tigers will prepare to host Penn Monday evening.

Warsaw’s Courtney Chookie (8) and Rachel Yeager (7) celebrate with teammates after a big kill against Northridge.