Tippecanoe Valley’s Madison Miller takes aim on a kill attempt against Southwood Tuesday night. (Photos by Mike Deak)

AKRON – In what was the final home game for Tippecanoe Valley and its seniors, there wasn’t much oomph from the home volleyball side Tuesday night. Southwood took command from the get-go and cruised to a 25-21, 25-15, 25-17 victory in the final Three Rivers Conference match for both clubs.

Communication issues at the net and on the backline from Valley allowed for Southwood to pick and choose its spots. Emilie Harnish utilized a solid cross-court attack to force the hand of the Valley block, which didn’t get there nearly enough. Harnish led Southwood with 16 kills. Bailey Lundmark gave Southwood a solid second option on the kill, hammering home 10 points. Southwood as a collective had 34 kills on the night. Harnish also added 21 digs and 15 successful serves received.

Delayne Genrty and Makenna Dawes combined for 30 digs for the Knights. Bailey Hobbs added 17 assists.

Southwood’s Emilie Harnish (23) celebrates with teammates Delayne Gentry (3) and Drue Gentry (2) after a point against Tippecanoe Valley.

Valley, which has had quite a couple weeks off the court as a whole community still mourns, looked a side with focal lapses. While the Valley defense had its woes, notably in an overwhelming Knights run in game two, the Viking offense never threatened after staying relatively close in the first game. Southwood led big in the second game and were never threatened in the third game, taking double-digit leads in both.

Stat leaders for Valley included Lexi O’Connell, playing in her final game in the Valley gym, with six digs and two blocks. Maddy Henninger, also a senior for Valley, led with 16 assists. Abby Betten had six kills and Sophie Bussard chipped in six digs.

Southwood caps its fine TRC season at 8-1, good for second place to Rochester’s undefeated 9-0 championship run. The Knights also up their mark to 17-12 overall.

Tippecanoe Valley falls to 17-11 overall and 5-4 in the TRC. Valley will close out its regular season this week with a match Thursday at Bremen then take part in Saturday’s Warsaw Spiker Invite. Tippy drew NorthWood next Thursday in the West Noble Volleyball Sectional.

Tippecanoe Valley wore wristbands with BIBS on them in honor of fallen friend Scott Bibler, who was laid to rest Sunday.