They were “hard-fought matches” – as described by Perry volleyball Head Coach Terri Hunt – but the Lady Panthers came up short against Luella at home.
Luella won the first 25-16. Perry won the second, also by a margin of 25-16, but the visitor got the edge in the third, 25-22.
Michaela Reams had seven aces and three kills to help lead the club, while Chloe Marshall and Leah Spears (also with a block) each had five kills.
Still, “high expectations this season,” Hunt said. “We have one senior and eight juniors.”
Elsewhere, Veterans won a “very close match” – per Head Coach Marlene Rogers – at Mount de Sales. The Lady Cavaliers won the first two 25-20, 25-19.
“Mount de Sales had a great crowd and their band in the house,” Rogers said. “That atmosphere seemed to work against our team as we made quite a few unforced errors in both of those sets.”
However, she added, “We made a few adjustments and finally relaxed into playing our game.”
The results were two 25-22 wins. That set up a fifth and deciding game. Perhaps the defining moment, Rogers said, came with the Lady Warhawks down 14-13 and the Lady Cavaliers serving.
“We called a time out, talked about strategy and confidence in our attack. Mount de Sales served, we made a great pass and executed our attack with the needed confidence to win the point. This rotated us into our strongest rotation with Alasha Heard back in the front and Ashely Dostie serving. We took the next two points to win the set and the match 16-14. The girls went crazy.
“It was an awesome comeback victory. This win for VHS demonstrated a maturity not many young teams possess; the poise and confidence to come back for an 0 and 2 start against a very good team was impressive. It was a good win.”
Heard “carried the team”, Rogers said, with 24 kills, eight blocks, five digs and five aces. Dostie “played outstanding, directing our defense and digging up 30 balls for the night. Izzy Coddington remained consistent setting up the offense with 41 assists.”
At Warner Robins, FPD “definitely gave us a run for our money during the first game,” Head Coach Cassie Bennett said, “but we came out with a slight lead and won 26-24.”
The second game was different. The Demonettes, Bennett said, came out more focused and pulled away from the beginning en route to a 25-16 win.
Hannah Luke had an “amazing night” on defense (one ace and three kills, too), Bennett said, which “allowed our outside hitters to come alive.”
Standouts on the night included Parker Hogan who had four aces and four kills. Anna Slaughter had three aces, six kills and a block. Kayla Luke had an ace and eight kills.
(Photos by Kevin Chelton)
