Thief River Falls - Northland defeated Rainy River in five sets Wednesday night to pick up its first win of the 2021 volleyball season. The Pioneers raced to a 9-3 advantage early in the opening set and led by as many a 14 points before securing the opening set by a score of 25-12. 

After getting off to a slow start in the opening set, Rainy River got things going early in the second set. The Voyageurs scored 10 unanswered points to open the second stanza and led by as many as 12 points. Trailing 19-7 at one point, the Pioneers made things interesting with a 14-5 run to cut the deficit to three before the Voyageurs closed out the set 25-21. 

The teams traded scores for the first 20 points of the third set. Rainy River used an 8-3 run to take an 18-13 lead and the Voyageurs stayed in front with another 25-21 win in set number three. 

Northland returned to form by winning seven of the first 10 points in the fourth set to force a Rainy River timeout. The Pioneers stayed hot coming out of the timeout and won 18 of the next 28 points to claim the fourth set 25-13. 

The Pioneers stayed hot in the fifth and final set. The teams traded scores for a 3-3 score early in the deciding set before the Pioneers took control by winning the final 12 points for a 15-3 win. 

The Pioneers return to action Sept. 18 at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. 

Northland 3, Rainy River 2
Scores: Northland wins 25-12, 21-25, 21-25, 25-13, 15-3. 
Assists - Chloe Kuznia 21, Libby Johnson 13, 
Kills - Madison Witte 13, Vivian Coan 12, Jaycee Knutson 8, Chloe Kuznia 7, Kylie Solheim 3, Libby Johnson 2, 
Service Aces - Vivian Coan 5, Chloe Kuznia 4, Jaycee Knutson 3, Libby Johnson 1. 
Digs - Kylie Solheim 19, Vivian Coan 10, Madison Witte 5, Haven Beckett 3, Libby Johnson 3, Chloe Kuznia 1, Jaycee  Knutson 1 
Blocks (Solo/Assist) - Jaycee Knutson 0/2, Vivian Coan 0/1,