Girls to start district Saturday
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lady Lions volleyball team completed its last full week before district with a pair of sweeps against Snyder and De Leon.
Albany (23-4) completed its nondistrict schedule Tuesday, Sept. 19, with a 25-10, 25-10, 30-28 home win over Strawn. Details will be reported next week.
The Lady Lions open District 6-2A play Saturday, Sept. 23 at home against Bangs.
“We’re just trying to get ready for district,” coach M.J. Reneau said. “We’re trying to stay healthy. I know there’s a lot of sickness going around.”
On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Albany defeated Snyder 25-18, 25-9, 26-24. That was followed Saturday, Sept. 16, with a 25-20, 25-19, 25-22 win at De Leon .
Individual statistics for the matches were not available.
Reneau said the next step is to be mentally prepared for the district opener.
“It’s definitely a big jump,” she said. “I’m glad we have six seniors with a lot of experience, and all but two of the girls are returners from last year. That’s huge in knowing the intensity it’s going to take throughout district and the playoffs.”
Albany will play just one district match before taking its first district bye on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
“I think it will allow us to do some team bonding or go scout,” Reneau said.
That will leave the Lady Lions with seven matches over four weeks to prepare for the postseason.
“Getting to play the teams twice, we’ll try to improve each time we play them,” she said. “We’re not looking at the playoffs yet. We’ve got to focus on district first.”
Junior Varsity
The Lady Lions dropped matches against Snyder (21-25, 4-25) and De Leon (20-25, 23-25) before beating Woodson 25-8, 25-18 on Monday, Sept. 18.
The Woodson match was a late addition to the schedule in place of Strawn, which did not have enough players for a JV match on Tuesday.
“The girls are still working super-hard and we played great against Woodson,” JV coach Makinzie Tomascik said. “We have some new confidence back under our belt, and we are ready to start district on Saturday.”
