Lady Lions continue hot streak

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions volleyball team continued its hot streak with a pair of road victories last week, including a sweep of Bangs to open District 6-2A play.

The Lady Lions (17-7 overall, 1-0 district) had an open date on Tuesday, Sept. 27. The spikers will resume play Saturday, Oct. 1, with their second district match against Coleman at home.

Coach M.J. Reneau said the team is hitting its stride at the right time, having won seven in a row.

“I’ve said from the beginning of the season that it was going to take time for these girls to have a lot of chemistry,” Reneau said. “I think it was just a matter of making them do things right from the very beginning, even if it was uncomfortable or didn’t look pretty, sticking to our game plan and knowing it was all going to come together. Right now we’re on a winning streak, and we just hope to keep that going through district.”

On Tuesday, Sept. 20, Albany closed out nondistrict play by defeating Strawn 25-18,25-13, 25-11.

Kiana Roberson had 10 kills and a block, with Caroline Holson getting nine kills and three blocks. Abi Hale had five kills, 25 assists and 12 digs, while Robin Lucas had 15 digs.

Albany put together a strong serving performance with 17 aces, nine by Gracie Price. Ella Webb had four aces.

“We had a good game against Strawn,” Reneau said. “It’s always hard to go over there and win in their gym. I was proud of our performance.”

albany VS. STRAWN

PLAYER Serves Aces Kills Digs Blks Asst

R.Lucas 8 1 - 15 - -

G.Price 18 9 1 2 - -

C.Edgar - - - 1 - -

E.Webb 12 4 1 1 - -

A.Hale 10 1 5 12 - 25

C.Chapman 4 1 1 1 1 -

By.Abbate - - 3 - - -

C.Holson 6 - 9 2 3 -

K.Roberson 11 1 10 6 1 -

Bk.Abbate - - - 2 - -

On Saturday, Sept. 24, the Lady Lions opened district with a 26-24, 25-21, 25-14 victory at Bangs.

“I think the matches against teams like Snyder helped us,” Reneau said. “Bangs had game-point in the first set, and we came back and won.”

Roberson led the way with 11 kills and two blocks. Ella Webb added five kills, with Callan Edgar and Holson adding four apiece. Holson also had two blocks, and Edgar had one.

Hale recorded 23 assists and was one of four players to finish with double figures in digs. Lucas had 16 and Brooklyn Abbate 12, while Hale and Webb added 10 each.

In both matches, seven Lady Lions recorded kills.

The Bangs match saw the first appearance of the season for senior Brooke Kayga, who missed six weeks with an ankle injury. She had one kill.

“The main thing right now is just to keep everyone healthy with all the sickness that’s going around,” Reneau said. “If anyone goes down, I know there’s someone to take that spot. With Brooke, we have our full team back.”

Reneau said starting district with a win was a big step for the Lady Lions.

“With this new district, we weren’t sure what to expect,” she said. “It felt good to get the longest trip out of the way and get a win.”

albany VS. BANGS

PLAYER Serves Aces Kills Digs Blks Asst

R.Lucas 10 1 1 16 - -

G.Price 5 - - 7 - -

B.Kayga - - 1 - - -

C.Edgar 6 1 4 2 1 2

E.Webb 6 1 5 10 - -

A.Hale 13 3 2 10 - 23

C.Chapman 10 - - 3 - -

By.Abbate - - - 1 - -

C.Holson 11 3 4 4 2 -

K.Roberson 8 1 11 8 2 -

Bk.Abbate - - - 12 - -

Junior Varsity

Albany’s JV1 also enjoyed an unbeaten week, beating Strawn in three sets and sweeping Bangs to improve to 8-6.

The JV2 played at Woodson on Tuesday, Sept. 27, the team’s first match in more than a month. Results will be reported next week. Albany was able to play some JV2 players in both JV1 matches last week.

The JV1 rallied to defeat Strawn 19-25, 25-21, 25-7.

“The girls really worked hard to win this match,” coach Jamie Wilson said. “They did a great job of coming back and winning in three sets.”

Wilson said every player played a part in the victory.

“Avery Everitt had some awesome passes,” Wilson said. “It was a great way to end preseason and be ready for district play.”

The JV1 opened district by beating Bangs 25-15, 25-21.

“The girls were talking, moving, and working together well,” Wilson said. “Sidney Russell did a fantastic job of stepping in and setting all the way around, while Kaisley Bartee helped out with multiple kills. Overall, it was a great game for the girls.”