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Breaking through: Finlandia volleyball gets first victory of the season against Northland

George Leinonen/For the Gazette Finlandia’s Kaisa Holmstrom digs up a ball during a match against Northland College Wednesday at the Paavo Nurmi Center.

HANCOCK — For a team that had lost their first eight volleyball matches in a row, Finlandia University certainly didn’t play with their heads down Wednesday night at the Paavo Nurmi Center. That’s the way it should be, according to their head coach Cindy Cavanaugh.

“It’s been a rough start,” she said. “The girls have been playing hard but just could not finish for the win.

“Tonight we did it. The girls communicated well and remained positive.”

The Lions defeated the Lumberjills from Northland College, 25-22, 25-11, 25-15.

The Lions were so sharp, they led the entire match, from the first serve to the last.

In the first set, they were relentless in keeping their offensive attack up. It was led by hard-hitting senior middle blocker, Marina Dalton. She led the Lions with 20 attacks, picking up 12 kills on those hits. She was dominant at the net, playing with a towering boom.

“She was key for us tonight,” said Cavanaugh. “She played exceptionally well.”

The Lions led as much as eight before taking the victory in that opening set.

In the second set, things got only worse for Northland. At one point, they were down by as many as 11 points. Senior setter Taylor Nettell led Finlandia with five service aces. When the Lumberjills did regain possession of the ball, they couldn’t put a run together. Their serves would either be short or out of bounds. Their returns would be hit too hard and at least a touch out of bounds.

The Lions played, as their coach suggested, consistently strong throughout. They also managed to execute in a way they had not in past matches.

“We were consistent all the way through,” said Cavanaugh. “We’ve been working on that discipline.”

The Lions allowed Northland to put 15 points on the scoreboard in the third set.

Cavanaugh felt that her squad has been zeroing in on the type of game they needed to play in order to earn wins.

“We’ve been working on how to play a complete game,” Cavanaugh said. “We’ve been close in many of these losses, but tonight, this one was ours. They gave it their all.

“I am proud of our girls. It feels good.”

Noelle Manos racked up four blocks. Nicole Anderson picked up 28 assists in the match.

Defensively, Jessie Diaz had 13 digs while Nettell had 10 digs to go with her aces.

The Lions return to action this Friday and Saturday when they head to Galesburg, Illinois, to take part in the Marissa Strong Invite. They will face Monmouth and Knox College Friday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, and then Wheaton and Anderson on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively.

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