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EDWARDSBURG — The backyard rivalry between Edwardsburg and Niles is always intense, but Thursday’s Wolverine Conference battle in volleyball generated extra excitement.

Not only was a piece of first place on the line, but household bragging rights were also at stake.

That’s because Edwardsburg’s Sarah Strefling and Niles first-year coach Vince Strefling happen to be married. 

The Streflings sent their respective programs up against one another and when the dust cleared it was Edwardsburg walking away with a three-set sweep of Niles 25-23, 25-15, 25-22. 

Edwardsburg also won the freshman and junior varsity matches in straight sets as well. 

The win improves Edwardsburg’s overall record to 11-20 overall, including a 3-1 league mark. The Lady Eddies are currently tied with Niles and Three Rivers for first place. 

Edwardsburg’s young team continues to show improvement with the postseason just a few weeks away.

The Lady Eddies graduated five seniors after losing in the Division 2 state quarterfinals to Grand Rapids Christian. This year’s team has been a work in progress with just three seniors, along with four juniors and six sophomores comprising the roster.

“We’ve kind’ve had a rocky season so for us to come in and step up like we did tonight was huge against a good team,” Sarah Strefling said. 

Edwardsburg is currently without it’s No. 1 setter Rylie Rosenkrantz, who sprained her ankle a couple weeks ago. Rosencrantz, however, is expected back in the lineup soon.

Edwardsburg’s coach applauded the efforts of backup setter and sophomore Olive Walk who has stepped up in Rosenkrantz’s absence and ran the Lady Eddies’ offense effectively.

“Olive has stepped up and done a great job and the team has kind’ve rallied around her. I was really proud of her tonight and the team’s leadership. There was a lot of talk and communication out on the court. Our kids are finally starting to see that winning takes more than just playing good volleyball. It takes energy and camaraderie of all 14 girls. We’re just looking to get better here over the next few weeks,” Sarah Strefling said.

Walk posted 32 assists to go with one kill and two blocks.

Junior outside hitter Sarah Pippin led Niles’ play at the net with 16 kills to go with four digs and one ace. The star Lady Eddies’ hitter recorded her 1000th career kill during the match. 

Sophomore right-side hitter Ella Laskowski contributed 11 kills, nine digs, one block and a pair of aces. Junior middle blocker Mya Eberlein added seven kills and one block. Sophomore outside hitter Kya Shier posted five kills, six digs and one ace and sophomore libero Sophie Kuntz came up with eight digs and one ace.

“Our hitters are playing very well, we’re getting our middles more involved and our blocking has been huge. Kya has come out of nowhere and performed well. I’ve had a couple of her sisters play for me and now she has really developed and filled a big role for us. All 14 of our girls are athletic and very competitive. Sometimes that works against them and they tense up, but we just have to work against that and relax and have fun,” Edwardsburg’s coach said.

The opening set saw the two sides tied on seven occasions. Two consecutive kills by Pippin gave the Lady Eddies a 16-14 lead. Laskowski’s ace gave the hosts its largest lead in the game at 23-18. Niles crept back within two (23-21) off the serve of Ellie Bradley. But the Eddies finished off the game with an Eberlein kill and took advantage of an unforced error by Niles.

Lake’s kill and two straight aces gave Niles a quick 3-0 advantage in the second set. The game would be tied six times before Edwardsburg built a five-point cushion (18-13) following another kill by Pippin. Senior defensive specialist Alivia Kuntz provided seven service points, including a pair of aces, near the end of the game. Pippin’s kill on game point put the hosts up 2-0 in the match.

“Our serving was very good tonight. That will be a big key along with us to be able to continue to make good passes later one this season,” Sarah Strefling said.

Edwardsburg led the entire way in game three with the exception of an early 1-0 deficit. Walk and Khaylin Homan combined for a key block and point to put the Lady Eddies up 10-4. 

Carrie Castillo came through with a huge kill late in the match to pull Niles within a point (24-23). But Edwardsburg won the game and and match on a thunderous kill down the line by Eberlein.

Although very passionate about volleyball and the success of their respective teams, the Streflings leave all that outside the door once they get home.

“He (Vince) has seen me come home frustrated many times, but at the end of the day our family and relationship takes priority over volleyball,” Sarah Strefling said.

Niles, now 15-12-1 overall, was led at the net by Nyla Hover with 15 kills and Bree Lake posted 13. Lake also had four service aces. 

Kaydence Jacobs had 29 assists for the Vikings and Maddie Zache was the team’s top defensive player with nine digs.

The Vikings might’ve shown a bit of a letdown on the court, especially after the energy it expended in a five-set non-league win over South Bend, Ind. John Adams High School on Tuesday.

“We picked a poor night to have a letdown from our warmup all the way through. Tuesday was a long drawn out match and we played very well. That’s no excuse though because our girls came into this match expecting to play well and win. It’s been a while since we’ve been off like we were tonight,” Vince Strefling said.

“One big difference tonight was that we weren’t able to get our middle blockers involved like we normally do. That’s how we beat Edwardsburg earlier this season was with strong play from our middles. Our team will be fine and we just have to watch film and see what we’re doing wrong. Edwardsburg had a good game plan and Sarah does a nice job with her team. If my team doesn’t win conference I’d like it to be Edwardsburg that does.”