Lady Lions record 3 straight wins

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions volleyball team enjoyed a 2-0 week last week, beating Benjamin and Tolar, as preparations for district intensified.

The Lady Lions (13-7) began their last full week of nondistrict play Tuesday, Sept. 13, with a hard-fought win, 25-23, 28-26, 27-29, 25-15, at Snyder. Details will be reported next week.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, Albany will host De Leon.

On Tuesday, Sept. 6, the Lady Lions rallied to defeat Benjamin 17-25, 28-25, 25-20, 25-16 at Benjamin.

Kiana Roberson had 18 kills with Caroline Holson adding 12. Abi Hale had 29 assists. Robin Lucas (17), Hale (14), and Roberson (10) each reached double figures in digs.

“This was a huge win for us,” Lady Lions coach M.J. Reneau said. “Benjamin is a very good team, and it’s really hard to beat them on their home court.”

Reneau said pulling out the second set to even the match helped swing the momentum to Albany.

“That third and fourth set, we played very solid,” she said. “That was a huge step toward where we want to go, especially in getting ready for district.”

Albany closed the week Saturday, Sept. 10 with a 25-19, 25-7, 25-20 sweep of Tolar at home.

“We haven’t beat Tolar in two years,” Reneau said. “To keep that momentum and confidence and play as well as we did, we are getting to where we need to be before district. All this timing is coming together.

Roberson had five kills to lead a balanced attack with eight players recording at least one kill. Hale had 15 assists, and Roberson led with 12 digs.

Albany started the match with a 7-1 run. Tolar closed to 12-10, but the Lady Lions responded with five consecutive points to regain control.

In the second set, Albany led 8-4 before reeling off 12 straight points and cruising to the finish.

Tolar took its only leads of the match at 1-0 and 2-1 in the third set, but the Lady Lions scored the next seven points, starting a 12-1 run, to go in front to stay.

Reneau said team chemistry has been a major reason for the recent success.

“Our setters and hitters are really connecting,” she said. “We’re throwing in different plays and speeding up our offense. Most of these girls have never played together at this level before, and I’m so excited because it’s all coming together like I knew it could.”

albany VS. BENJAMIN

PLAYER Serves Aces Kills Digs Blks Asst

R.Lucas 16 - - 17 - -

G.Price - - - 4 - -

C.Edgar 11 3 2 4 2 -

E.Webb 6 2 2 4 - -

A.Hale 15 1 1 14 1 29

C.Chapman 9 - - 2 - -

By.Abbate - - 1 - - -

C.Holson 17 4 12 6 1 -

K.Roberson 11 1 18 10 4 -

Bk.Abbate - - - 3 - -

albany VS. TOLAR

PLAYER Serves Aces Kills Digs Blks Asst

R.Lucas 4 - 2 8 - -

G.Price - - - 2 - -

C.Edgar 7 1 1 2 - -

E.Webb 2 - 3 - - 1

A.Hale 15 3 3 7 - 15

C.Chapman 7 - 2 - - -

By.Abbate 1 - 1 1 - -

C.Holson 14 4 2 5 1 -

K.Roberson 16 4 5 12 - -

Bk.Abbate - - - 5 - -

Junior Varsity

In another light week for the Lady Lion JV teams, JV1 (5-5) lost 14-25, 16-25 on Tuesday at Benjamin. There were no JV matches on Saturday.

“The JV1 lost a hard-fought match against a tough  Benjamin team,” JV coach Jamie Wilson said. “Having a few out sick hurt us, but the girls never gave up. Kenzie Neve did a great job in her spot and MaKenna McNeill did a great job leading by example on the court.”

Both JV teams were in action at Snyder, the first JV2 match since Aug. 19 against Eastland.

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