Lady Lions keep district record clean
By Sam Waller
The Albany Lady Lions continued to remain atop the District 6-2A volleyball standings by sweeping Bangs and beating Coleman, extending their winning streak to 12 after Tuesday night’s matches.
The Lady Lions (22-7 overall, 6-0 district) began the stretch drive Tuesday, Oct. 18, with a 28-26, 15-25, 25-17, 25-18 at Coleman. Details will be reported next week.
Albany hosts Hawley on Saturday, Oct. 22 before concluding the regular season Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Ranger.
The JV2 will start Saturday’s action at 10:00 a.m., followed by the JV1. Albany’s three seniors will be recognized about 11:45 a.m. prior to the varsity match.
A playoff warmup match has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 against Aspermont at home.
Lady Lions head coach M.J. Reneau said junior middle blocker Kiana Roberson received good news regarding her ankle injury and is now expected back by the start of the postseason.
“We’re hoping to have Kiana back before the playoffs,” Reneau said. “We’re thinking she might be able to come back for a couple of games in district. We just want her to be healthy. We don’t want to rush it.”
On Tuesday, Oct. 11, Albany defeated Bangs 25-21, 25-23, 25-16 to move within a match of officially clinching a playoff berth.
“You could tell we had practiced more with the girls in new positions, and they looked more comfortable on the court,” Reneau said. “I was really proud of our defense. We were blocking and passing really well.”
Caroline Holson had nine kills and two blocks to lead a balanced attack. Brooke Kayga and Ella Webb each had six kills, with Callan Edgar adding five.
Abi Hale made 25 assists in addition to leading a strong service game. Hale had four aces to go with three kills and nine digs.
Gracie Price and Robin Lucas were active on the back row. Price led Albany with 15 digs and was second in serving. Lucas had 12 digs and served well.
ALBANY VS. Bangs
PLAYER Serves Aces Kills Digs Blks Asst
R.Lucas 8 1 - 12 - -
G.Price 11 1 - 15 - -
B.Kayga - - 6 - - -
C.Edgar 8 1 5 1 1 -
E.Webb 3 1 6 2 - -
A.Hale 17 4 3 9 - 25
C.Chapman 8 1 1 6 - -
By.Abbate - - - 1 - -
C.Holson 10 2 7 9 2 -
Bk.Abbate - - - 5 - -
Holson, who also had nine digs, and Edgar gave the Lady Lions four players in double figures in serves. Holson had two aces as seven Albany players had at least one.
Junior Varsity
Both Lady Lion JV teams were victorious against Bangs.
The JV1 also played at Coleman, and both teams will be in action against Hawley to close out their seasons.
The JV2 started last week’s action by sweeping Bangs 25-17, 25-23.
“The girls did a fantastic job finishing the match,” JV coach Jamie Wilson said. “We had some in spots that they usually don’t play, and they did great adjusting to the new positions.”
The JV1 came back to beat Bangs 18-25, 25-17, 15-3.
“JV1 did an awesome job coming back from losing the first set and winning in three,” Wilson said. “With some great serving from all the girls, we were able to overcome the first set and really show some grit.”
