RIPON — Southern League frontrunner Le Grand was on its way to taking the opening set after building a 20-11 lead at Ripon Christian.
Not so fast.
The Knights, hosting their annual Dig Pink event Tuesday, rallied back to steal the game and rode the momentum for a 28-26, 25-17, 25-19 sweep that puts both teams in a first-place tie with three league matches remaining.
Ripon Christian (10-1, 15-7 overall) avenged its lone league loss in the process. Le Grand (10-1, 16-5) edged out the Knights in their last showdown, claiming the deciding fifth set, 18-16. This time, RC made sure it didn’t go the distance after fighting its way back to a thrilling Game 1 victory.
“That just carried on to the next two,” Knights senior outside hitter Mackenzie Miller said. “We didn’t get too cocky. We were ready for what they had because we know they always come back fighting.
“We had a huge crowd and great support tonight. It helps when they have your back.”
The Bulldogs went on an eight-point service run for a 13-6 lead in the first set, as Ripon Christian struggled with ball-handling violations. Le Grand, to its credit, was able to stifle the Knights’ attack with scrappy back-row play.
“They’re not shaken easily,” Ripon Christian coach Jocelyn Benziger said. “They go after every ball, and they respond really well and adjust to what is working for you.”
Miller, who finished with a team-high 20 kills, spearheaded the Knights’ comeback charge. Five of her kills came during that stretch, and she served an ace to tie it at 24-24.
“As a captain I really want to lead the team,” Miller said.
But with her in the back row, others had to step up to complete the heart-stopping comeback in which Ripon Christian had to stave off three game-point situations.
Morgan Van Elderen (nine assists, two blocks) came through for a kill, Emily Van Groningen (seven kills) had a tip and senior Renae Heida (eight kills, two aces) delivered an emphatic spike for a 27-26 lead. Le Grand was then whistled for a double-touch violation to secure the early win for Ripon Christian.
“The last couple of years we counted on our best player in those moments,” Benziger said, referencing 2017 league MVP Paige Vos. “She was a great player and we love her and miss her, but the reality is she is no longer here and it’s good for us because we have had to go with multiple options.”
Le Grand came out firing in the next two sets, staking 3-0 leads each time. Ripon Christian rallied at the end of both games, ending on 10-2 and 10-4 runs.
“We typically struggle after games like (the first set) because it takes a lot of out us, but we came back out ready to go,” Benziger said. “It was like, ‘We got this.’”
Taylor Alger (20 assists), Taylor Anema (three blocks), Lauren Braga (eight digs) and Charlotte te Velde (seven digs) were other key contributors for Ripon Christian. Le Grand was paced by Alexa Ulterars’ 12 kills and two blocks.
Ripon Christian heads to Gustine on Thursday before competing in the Stockton Classic on Friday and Saturday. The regular season ends next week with Delhi and reigning SL champion Orestimba visiting. Last year, Orestimba ended the Knights’ six-year reign as league champions.
“We definitely don’t want to lose momentum from this,” Benziger said. “We play in Stockton this weekend and hopefully that helps thrust us forward. Orestimba will definitely throw us off, so we’ll have to be ready for that one."