Northlake Christian School’s Lady Wolverines, the defending Division V state champions, opened district play Tuesday, sweeping the Archbishop Hannan Lady

Hawks, 25-7, 25-9 and 25-4, at the Coquille Sports Complex.

NCS senior hitter Mallory Horridge set the tone early, serving for 12 consecutive points to open game one, including four aces. Hannan finally gained serve but was unable to capitalize. Junior Brittany Scearce, who posted four kills in the opening game, helped control play at the net. Trailing 17-4, Hannan was able to mount a mini-run on the serving of senior Katie Bailey, who ripped three straight points, including an ace to cut the margin to 17-7. Horridge downed a kill to regain serve for the Lady Wolverines. NCS junior Hannah Miranda ran off seven straight service points to put the game one away, 25-7.

NCS junior setter Hannah Miranda (17) prepares to pass to Monica Raymond (2) for a kill attempt during Tuesday'€™s district match against the Archbishop Hannan Lady Hawks at Coquille Sports Complex. Defending the net for Hannan are Natalie Powell (1) and Emily Lee. Miranda totaled 37 assists in the match. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

Horridge collected five of her match-high 13 kills in game one. She also led the Lady Wolverines with eight digs in the match and finished with six aces.

“I think we have been practicing hard and our younger JV players are also doing a good job. Everybody played their game. We really connected,” Horridge said.

Miranda, the Lady Wolverines’ setter, finished with 37 assists, setting up her teammates with good location passes. Horridge talked about the team’s great passing and depth.

“Hannah is a great setter. We have so many options on our team to go to. It makes it easy for her and us to know that we have a fantastic setter, who knows where to put the ball at the right time,” Horridge added.

Miranda also notched seven kills, five digs and five aces to help spark the Lady Wolverines’ attack.

Horridge said the sweep was a great way to start district play after games being canceled due to the storm.

“I think this performance will get us ready to play Fontainebleau, Mount Carmel and some of the other bigger teams. I think we are ready for them,” Horridge said.

In Tuesday’s game two, with NCS leading 9-4, Miranda ran off six straight points, including three aces, to build a 15-4 lead. Horridge later contributed a kill and followed up with two service points to give the Lady Wolverines a 19-6 lead. Hannan’s Bailey made a couple good plays at the net, recording a kill and a block, but it wasn’t enough. With NCS leading 23-9, Scearce, who totaled eight kills in the match, blasted a kill and served an ace to close out game two, 25-9.

NCS picked up where it left off with a quick start in game three. Holding a 1-0 lead on a kill by Angela Barrios, Megan Steele served for five straight points for an early 6-0 advantage. Bailey got the Lady Hawks on the board with a kill. NCS’ Miranda dinked a ball for a point, setting the stage Mary Wilson to string together 10 consecutive points, including two aces, pushing the lead to 17-1. Miranda delivered another dink to regain serve. Horridge blasted three straight points for an insurmountable 21-3 advantage. NCS closed out game three with Miranda placing in a dink deep in the right corner along with a kill. Steele positioned a dink in the middle of the Hannan defense, finishing off game three, 25-4.

NCS junior Monica Raymond made a significant contribution with seven digs and six kills for the Lady Wolverines.

NCS coach Michelle Anderson said it was a good victory with everything that has gone on with the storm.

“It has been difficult for the players who have missed games. It was nice to get things started. Hopefully, we can keep things going, and not have any more interruptions,” Anderson said.

Anderson said she was proud of some of her younger junior varsity players and their performance against Hannan.

“We didn’t have any downfall. They did a really good job. That is a plus for us to get them some valuable game experience. They are really coming around,” Anderson added.

Hannan first-year coach Jennifer Pujol said despite the scores her team did some good things.

“We are still having some inconsistencies with our defense and hitting. We came out and were ready to play, and that is all I can ask for. I’m proud of them and their effort,” Pujol said.

“We were playing against a team that is phenominal. They have hitters that can do everything along with passers that touch everything. It was a learning experience for us,” Pujol added.

Junior Emily Lee topped Hannan with 12 digs. She also recorded two kills.

“Northlake Christian is an extremely good team,” Lee said. “We are still rebuilding our program. I think we are coming along under our new head coach. She knows how to organize things. She is an aggressive coach along with being a great role model for us. If we can keep our spirit, I think we can go places,” Lee added.

Bailey led Hannan with six kills, two blocks along with an ace. Sophomore Natalie Powell chipped in with three kills and two blocks. Junior Kim Kirsch tallied 10 assists for the Lady Hawks.