Teakell leads volleyball comeback win versus 49ers
North Texas (7-13, 3-2 Conference USA) continued their homestand hosting the Charlotte 49ers (11-10, 1-4 C-USA).
This match was back and forth as the two teams took turns winning sets. Ultimately, North Texas would win in five sets (20-25,25-21,19-25,25-16,15-10.)
“It’s a good win for us,” head coach Andrew Palileo said. “Anytime you can win in conference on homecourt that’s even better. Our girls played hard when we needed them to especially in that fourth and fifth set.”
In the first set, the Mean Green started slow and look unprepared going down by a score of 0-4 early in the first set. The lead changed four times and the score was tied nine different times just in the first set. Eventually, the 49ers grabbed the edge and North Texas lost the first set 20-25
The lead changes and ties would not end with the first set.
“There [were] just some good plays on both sides of the net,” Palileo said. “You’re just trying to get to that fifth set and from there it’s everybody trying to get ahead.”
The second set there were ten ties and three lead changes.
Outside hitter Teakell Barbara would lead the Mean Green through the second set with eight kills and four digs for a second set win of 25-21 over the 49ers.
Barbara also notched a new season high in kills with 18 on the day in 43 attempts.
“I just had [to be] smart and get my shots,” Taekell said. “I just had to mix it up a little bit.”
The 49ers and their defense managed to continuously counter all Mean Green attempts at kills highly in light of their length on defense in No. 2 Jannelle Curtiss and No. 11 Nya Steele. The defense of the 49ers led to the Mean Green loss in set three (25-19).
“Curtiss made it very difficult she’s fast and she’s all over,” Senior setter Karley York said.
The Mean Green managed to come back and win both the fourth and fifth set. The final set would go no different than the match had been all day – back and forth trading leads. North Texas completed the comeback as they won the fifth set 15-10.
York led the team in assist with 18 one shy of her season high.
“I was just trying to isolate my teammates,” York said. “Just trying to give them the right opportunities to set up the blockers behind them.
North Texas now lies in sixth in C-USA.
“In our conference right now it’s anyone’s game,” Taekell said. “No one is really dominating and this win is going to help us a lot.”
Featured Image: Sophomore outside hitter Valerie Valerian spikes the ball in a game against Kent State. The Mean Green won 3 sets in a row, (25-17), (25-17), (25-14). Rachel Walters
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