The Republic Lady Tigers volleyball team narrowly escaped with a win at Stockton Thursday night. Republic jumped to an early lead in the first game, but Stockton came back, and took its first lead at 19-18. The teams went back and forth the rest of the way, with Stockton taking game one, 25-23.
The second game was a mirror image of the first, with Stockton holding an early lead, until Republic got hot. From 10-12 down, Republic nine of the next 11 points to take a 19-14 lead. They went on to take the game 25-20.
Republic seemed to be in control in game three, but could never put Stockton away. Republic built a six-point lead at 17-11. But Stockton clawed back to within one point, at 20-19. Republic stretched the lead again, to 24-20, and Stockton made it 24-23 before Republic scored the deciding point.
Nicole Hallam and Alex Botkin each had 12 kills to lead the Lady Tigers. Jordan Jones had 20 assists, and Sarah Kreul added 17. Botkin had 15 digs and Mallory Long had 10.
Republic improves to 4-3. Stockton suffers its first loss, and falls to 4-1.
Republic’s JV team had an easier time, cruising to victory, 25-7 25-9.