Lady Lions look for winning formula
The Lady Lions dropped two volleyball matches last week as they continue to seek the right formula for a winning season.
Albany hosted Jim Ned on Tuesday, Aug. 14 in a rematch from a week earlier and was on the road to Aspermont last Wednesday.
Albany also traveled to Eastland on Tuesday, suffering a loss to the 3A Lady Mavs, 12-25, 13-25, 7-25.
The varsity is scheduled to play at the Dublin tournament starting Thursday (today) with pool games at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. Results of those games will determine when they enter bracket play on Saturday.
Albany will host Clyde on Tuesday, Aug. 28 with JV games starting at 4:30 p.m.
Jim Ned Visits
Albany played a rematch against Jim Ned on Aug. 14 after opening the season in Tuscola the week before.
The Lady Lions lost to the Lady Indians in four games, 20-25, 25-22, 15-25, 16-25.
“We showed a lot of improvement in the week between games, and that was encouraging,” coach Kimberly Hill said. “We lost a close first set, then won the second set in another close one. Jim Ned just battled back and took the last two sets to win.”
The coach said that the girls improved in several areas, including serving the ball.
“We were much more consistent at the service line, missing just four serves total in the match,” she said. “The girls are also developing chemistry on the court, and we are pleased with their attitudes and work ethic.”
albany VS. jim ned
PLAYER Serves Aces Errors
B Belcher 2 0
A Hill 7 2
T Fuentes 14 1 0
A Garcia 11 1
A Balliew 14 0
M Connally 19 2 1
T Scott 8 0
Trip to Aspermont
Albany lost on the road in Aspermont in a four-set battle, 22-25, 25-12, 16-25, 16-25.
“It was a back and forth match between us and a very competitive Aspermont team,” Hill said. “We served well, including several aces, in the first three sets. We just couldn’t pass the ball consistently to target. Torie (Fuentes) was all over the court trying to set the ball and it kept us out of our system.”
The coach said the team will continue adjusting aspects of the game to improve.
albany VS. aspermont
PLAYER Serves Aces Errors
A Hill 16 4 4
T Fuentes 10 2 2
A Garcia 12 4 2
A Balliew 15 0
M Connally 16 2
T Scott 12 0
JV Loses Games
Both JV teams lost to Jim Ned last week, and the Red team lost in three to Aspermont.
The JV White team lost 25-22, 16-25, 12-15 in a close match against the Lady Indians. The Red team fell 25-17, 13-25, 10-15.
“We have made a lot of progress since we played them the first time,” coach Lauren Peacock said. “The girls worked well together.”
The coach commended Addie Beth Denton for aggressive play at the net.
The Red JV lost 18-25, 25-18, 21-25 to Aspermont.
“Our serve receive ultimately hurt us,” Peacock said. “We got into a bind and couldn’t pass the ball in the first and third sets. We played a better second set, but we have to find our consistency.”
The coach commended Landree Connally and Clara Holson for solid games.
Both JV teams defeated Eastland on Tuesday, with Red winning 11-25, 27-25, 15-11 and White winning 22-25, 25-13, 15-5.
