Lincoln holds off Windsor for win in two sets

Christina Eckhoff hits the ball during Tuesday’s match against Windsor.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_FOURTH-ART-ECKHOFF-HIT.jpg Christina Eckhoff hits the ball during Tuesday’s match against Windsor.

Tana Malotte serves during Tuesday’s match against Windsor.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_LEAD-ART-MALOTTE.jpg Tana Malotte serves during Tuesday’s match against Windsor.

Madison Dixon passes the ball during Tuesday’s match at Lincoln.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_SECONDARY-ART-DIXON.jpg Madison Dixon passes the ball during Tuesday’s match at Lincoln.

Carmyn Johnson gets low to get a dig during Tuesday’s match at Lincoln.

http://sedaliademocrat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_THIRD-ART-WINDSOR-DIG.jpg Carmyn Johnson gets low to get a dig during Tuesday’s match at Lincoln.

LINCOLN — After having control during much of the first set, the Lincoln Lady Cardinals pulled out a close win in the second set to beat Windsor 25-21, 25-22 on Tuesday.

The first set was close until a 13-0 run gave Lincoln a 18-8 lead.

Windsor led 8-5 after a Jodie Hamilton kill, but Tana Malotte served for 13 straight points for the Lady Cardinals.

Korie Faulconer’s hit grazed the net but made it over for a point to make it 16-8.

Sadie Crouch’s kill got it to 17-8 and Windsor failed to return another Crouch hit that ended up hitting the ceiling on the third Windsor hit. Crouch had four kills.

“She hits really well and she did a good job blocking too,” said Lincoln coach Melinda Strathman. “Christina Eckhoff stepped up too.”

Windsor struggled to keep the ball from going too high and hitting the low ceiling.

“We’re not used to a low ceiling at all,” said Windsor coach Penny Williams. “Our passes tend to go high on hard serves.”

Windsor would make a run of its own to get close.

A Jodi Guffey kill got the Lady Greyhounds within 23-16 and a Hamilton kill made it 24-17.

Danielle Craig’s ace capped off a 5-0 run, but Windsor’s serve was short to give Lincoln the 25-21 win.

Craig was 7 of 8 serving. Madison Dixon was 12 of 14 serving with five aces.

The lead changed numerous times in the second set.

Lincoln took a 9-8 lead on a Crouch kill, but a Craig ace later gave Windsor a 12-11 lead.

Malotte later got an ace to put Lincoln up 17-16.

“Tana Malotte really stepped it up for us,” Strathman said. “She’s one of our best servers when she’s on.”

Windsor tried to stay in it as Hamilton’s kill made it 24-22, but a Sidney Johnson tap sealed the win for Lincoln. Hamilton had five kills.

The Windsor JV won 25-13, 25-21.

Windsor will play at Green Ridge on Thursday to close out the regular season.

The Lady Greyhounds host the Class 1, District 13 tournament Monday and Wednesday. They will play Adrian at 5 p.m. Monday in the first round.

To start Class 1, District 10 play, the Lady Cardinals will play host Sacred Heart at 6:45 p.m. Monday.