Ali Dutkowski and NorthWood played three strong games against Penn in the JV contest Tuesday night. (File photo by Mike Deak)

MISHAWAKA – NorthWood hung around with perennial power Penn, but couldn’t get over the hump in a 3-0 loss at The Palace.

Penn got the job done by winning its three games 25-18, 25-23, 25-23.

The Kingsmen, a Class 4-A regional finalist in 2018, had a host of contributors in fending off the Panthers. Molly Pooler led the offense with 11 kills and had four blocks while Bella Phillips and Emma Hickey had nine kills each and a combined 23 digs. Addy Kois sent up 33 assists and added 10 digs and four blocks and Kylee Hixenbaugh chipped in 15 digs.

Caroline Mullet was all over the court for NorthWood, assisting on 33 points and had 17 digs and an ace. Maddy Payne was big at the net with 14 kills and three blocks, Kate Rulli had seven kills and Kendal Miller led the Panther defense with 26 digs.

Penn rallied in the JV contest, taking the match 19-25, 25-17, 15-10.

Leading the way for the NorthWood side were Annika Bennett with six assists, six digs and four kills, Tori Mullet with seven digs, Bre Wise with four kills and Jadyn Gessinger with seven assists.

NorthWood (1-1) hosts another Northern Indiana Conference team Thursday when Marian comes to Nappanee.