CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Northeast Eagles paid a visit to Northwest High School for a season-opening volleyball match with the Vikings. A high-energy, back and forth match, with all sets decided within 5 points, came down to the fifth and final set, which Northwest took to secure the match, 3-2.

Northwest started the game on fire and was able to capture the first two sets, by score of 25-23 and 25-20. They were fueled by the play of senior Emma York, who, according to Vikings head coach Sonia Franklin, has a fitting nickname: “Fire.”

Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)
Northeast High School at Northwest High varsity volleyball on Aug. 19, 2024. (Jeff Danault)

“She was on fire tonight, that’s why it’s her nickname,” said Franklin. “She was huge in our scheme and game plan tonight.”

However, Northeast didn’t go down quietly. The Eagles stormed back with energy of their own, winning the next two sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-20, forcing a winner take all fifth set. Northeast head coach Joyce Williams was proud of the way her team responded to adversity.

“We started off slow, kind of all over the place,” said Williams. “We fought back to get in it, and I’m proud of them – of their determination to make it a five-set game.”

The Northwest Vikings took the final set 15-10, securing their first win of the season. York says that this win is a showing of the diligent preparation her team has done. “My girls work so hard,” York told Clarksville Now. “It paid off for them tonight, and I could not be prouder of them.”

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