Lady Lions come up short in rivalry match

The Albany Lady Lions volleyball team battled through a tough district matchup on Tuesday, Sept. 30, ultimately falling to rival Hawley in three competitive sets: 17-25, 23-25, and 20-25. Despite the loss, Head Coach MJ Reneau praised the team’s performance, especially at the net.

“That was the best blocking game we’ve had this season,” Reneau said, noting that multiple players contributed key blocks that helped generate energy and momentum. However, serving errors continued to cause trouble for the team.

Each set remained close, with Albany holding a lead at points during the second. Hawley eventually pulled ahead late in each frame to secure the sweep.

Earlier in the week, the Lady Lions pulled out a dramatic win on Saturday, Sept. 27, defeating Roscoe in five sets (20-25, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 15-12). The match featured a gritty finish, as Mimi Ivy served three consecutive aces to close the fifth set after a 12–12 tie. Reneau credited the win to the team’s resilience, even as service errors—including nine in the opening set—hindered momentum throughout.

With one week off from competition, Albany (2–1 in district) will return to action Tuesday, Oct. 7, on the road against Colorado City. Reneau said the team will spend the week resting and preparing for what she expects to be another challenging district match.

JV Update

Albany’s junior varsity team also faced tough competition, falling to both Roscoe and Hawley in recent district play. Reneau noted that while the group is still working on developing team chemistry, she’s encouraged by their progress.

“They’re a young team, but we’re already seeing improvement in their individual skills,” Reneau said. “Right now, we’re focused on learning how to play together and support each other on the court.”