PINETOWN — Typically, it’s the high-flying middle and outside hitters or the acrobatic defensive play of the back line that garners the most applause from spectators. But during Tuesday’s volleyball’s game pitting Northside against Coastal Plains Conference foe Jones Senior, most of the praise was directed at a different position — setter, arguably the most vital cog to the Panthers system.

As hitters Rachel Lang, Sarah Rhem and Anna Gibbs racked up kills in the first game, there was Kendall Alligood, vocally directing her team and feeding the front line near perfect sets. Humbly and efficiently behind the scenes, following a 25-18 victory on Game 1, the Panthers’ senior setter had a season-defining 20 minutes, touching the ball on almost every one of Northside’s 25 points in the second game and racking up 13 assists in the process, as well as a kill.

“She’s a tough leader in the sense that she’s going to call it like she sees it,” said head coach Kayla Maddox after Tuesday’s game. “At the same time, she motivates them out there on that court, telling them to keep their heads up, telling them to push points. I think they count on that. She brings a sense of knowledge to the game.”

Throughout the season, as her teammates have sometimes wavered from game to game, Alligood has remained a constant — a consistent producer and vocal leader on the court, directing what is otherwise a very young team. And while her teammates continue to better their game, Northside’s cohesion and overall record continues to improve in a crucial point of the schedule.

In the third game against Jones Senior, a quality team coming off an upset win over Pamlico County, the Panthers wavered only slightly, losing their point cushion and allowing Jones Senior to take a 25-24 lead, a chance for the visitors to keep their evening alive. For a moment, the third game looked all too familiar — a strong start to the match, followed by a sluggish finish — but Northside disregarded the narrative that has been the last few weeks. And there was Alligood in the center of it all, providing Savannah Slade with a perfect set to notch the game-tying kill, a point that eventually led to a match victory.

“We did a lot better tonight than we have been doing,” Alligood said. “Instead of giving up in that third game, we stuck together and pulled out the little points people weren’t expecting. We hustled to the ball, tried our hardest and we just didn’t give up.

“Last year we were very strong in hitting because of Alex (Adams, who led the team in kills), but this year we’re stronger in other areas — setting, passing. We just have to share the love.”

Alligood finished Tuesday with a match-high 21 assists to go along with an ace and two kills. Involved in almost every play, she helped teammate, competitor and friend Rachel Lang tally 10 kills, while other hitters like Rhem, Slade, Meredith Boyd and Madison Tetterton have a productive match as well, working through their setter.

As the chemistry between Alligood and the hitters has improved, so has the Panthers’ play. It’s a dynamic Maddox makes sure to address every day.

“Usually she’s posted in that right side corner and we work on getting the ball to her every day in practice,” she said. “(Positioning) makes a difference because when she doesn’t have to scramble across the court to get the ball, she makes a better set. If we can get her to stay still, allow her time to get herself in position and make the perfect set, we will have even more success.”

Northside, which finished second in the Coastal Plains last season, will have a chance to bump its conference record back above .500 on Thursday on the road against Lejeune (3-5, 1-2 CPC).