Chargers use late rallies in final 2 sets to turn away Highland

GALESBURG — A pair of clutch runs in the final two sets propelled the Sandburg volleyball team to a 25-13, 20-25, 26-24, 25-21 Arrowhead Conference win Wednesday over Highland.

Tied at a set apiece, the Chargers (5-5, 2-0) faced three set points while trailing 24-21 in the third against the visiting Cougars. Sandburg saved the first two on a Highland service error and a hitting error before Abigail Shaffer put down a kill to even the set at 24.

Another Shaffer kill gave the Chargers a set point of their own. Sophomore Emma Schweigert followed with an ace as her serve clipped the top of the net and trickled over to give Sandburg a 26-24 victory and one-set advantage.

The Chargers faced deficits of 18-15 and 19-17 in the fourth set but clawed back once again to close out the match. Tied at 20, Sandburg won the next four points and five of the final six.

Madalynn Knapp opened the closing stretch with two kills sandwiched around an ace from Addison Gillen, giving the Chargers a 23-20 lead. Shaffer put down a kill to set up match point at 24-20, and Harlee Hainds closed it out with a kill two points later.

Knapp tallied a team-best 13 kills in the victory. Shaffer had a dozen kills, 17 digs and tied Schweigert for the team lead with three aces. Taliya Galloway had four of the Chargers' six blocks in the win.

Setter Quinn Rexroat turned in 37 assists, and Gillen picked up 21 of Sandburg's 80 digs. Eller also reached double figures in digs, totaling 15.

UP NEXT
6 p.m. Thursday at Division I No. 19 Indian Hills 

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