East Central hosted Hinckley-Finlayson for their homecoming match on Tuesday night.
The first set was back and forth neither team could grab a lead and build on it. The Jaguars lead the set late and began to pull away. But the Eagles made a late surge and tied the set. The Eagles were not only able to overcome the deficit but also take the lead and grab set point 25-24. Hinckley-Finlayson came back and scored three unanswered points to win the set 27-25. The second set was much of the same, both teams traded the lead and couldn't find a way to build on their lead. But once again the Jags held the lead late. Similar to the opening set the Eagles made the comeback tied the game and took the lead. Once again they held set point 26-25 but the Jags would steal the set from the Eagles 28-26.
The third set was vastly different. Hinckley-Finlayson began the set scoring 8 unanswered points. It looked as if it was going to be a run away win for the Jaguars. East Central was finally able to end the drought and score. But the Jags continued to hold onto a 7 point lead midway through the set. As the set approached its end the Eagles were again looking to make the comeback. They shrunk the Jaguar lead down to 3, 20-17. It seemed like East Central was bound to pull off some late set heroics again. But it was not so this time as Hinckley-Finlayson was able to end the set 25-21.
East Central will play again next Monday in McGregor. Hinckley-Finlayson will play another conference game on Thursday at home against Mille Lacs.
