Lady Lions undefeated in district play
By Donnie A. Lucas
The Lady Lion volleyball team split games last week, but the game they won was critically important.
Albany lost in three sets to the visiting 4A Graham Lady Blue, but defeated district rival Hawley in four sets on Saturday to lead the 2A bracket of District 6-2A.
The Lady Lions were on the road Tuesday in Rising Star, finishing the first half of play against district teams with a 25-1, 25-4, 25-5 win. Complete results will be printed next week.
Albany will host Strawn as the second round of action against district teams starts Friday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. No JV games are scheduled.
While the Lady Lions share a district with several Class 1A teams, the actual district record that counts for Albany is among the three 2A schools – Albany, Hawley, and Ranger.
Albany is currently 14-2 overall, and leads the first round of district in the 2A bracket, 2-0.
The Lady Lions will host the second set of games in district against Ranger on Tuesday, Sept. 29. JV games will start at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., with the varsity scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The varsity faced a tough Graham team on Sept. 15, falling 14-25, 11-25, 16-25.
albany VS. Graham
PLAYER Serves Kills Digs Blks Asst
A Hill 13 2 1 0 9
T Fuentes 9 0 15 0 0
A Garcia 2 0 5 0 0
S Cotter 0 5 1 1 0
H Trail 0 0 1 0 1
C Nelson 5 0 1 0 1
B Belcher 7 1 5 0 5
A Denton 0 4 4 0 4
T Brown 5 1 2 0 2
M Farmer 1 0 1 0 1
C Edgar 0 1 2 2 0
“We knew Graham was going to be tough competition, but we wanted to use this game to prepare us for Hawley,” coach M.J. Reneau said. “Even though we lost, this game helped us in several areas.”
She noted that the blockers had to read and work fast against a quick Graham offense.
“Our defense had to adjust several times, and our hitters faced the biggest blocking team we’ve seen all year.”
The coach said the game gave the Lady Lions experience at a higher level of play, and that the score doesn’t reflect the level of play.
The Lady Lions handed Hawley a 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 25-18 loss on Saturday at the local gym to stay undefeated in district.
“This was the most exciting game we have had all season,” Reneau said. “The girls started preparing for this game on the first day of two-a-days.”
The coach said the Lady -Lions played strong offense with 42 kills during the game.
“The girls’ energy and positivity never let up during the match,” she said. “Each player contributed to this win, and I am so proud of their efforts and focus.”
albany VS. hawley
PLAYER Serves Kills Digs Blks Asst
A Hill 10 15 13 2 9
T Fuentes 17 0 15 0 0
A Garcia 0 1 0 0 0
S Cotter 4 15 0 0 0
C Holson 16 1 8 1 35
H Trail 0 1 1 0 0
C Nelson 6 0 8 0 0
B Belcher 14 0 5 0 0
A Denton 0 6 7 0 0
T Brown 29 3 8 0 0
JV Results
The JV I split games last week, falling to Graham 17-25, 14,25 on Sept. 1.
“The girls fought hard against Graham but came up short,” coach Jamie Wilson said. “Kiana Roberson had some great hustle at the net, and we also had some good serves.”
The JV I beat Hawley in three sets, 26-28, 25-14, 25-11.
“The JV I fought back to win in three sets after a tough loss in the first set,” Wilson said. “They came together and did a great job of serving the ball. We also had a lot of hustle from Robin Lucas to keep the ball in play.”
The JV II lost both games last week.
The team lost to Graham, 19-25, 15-25.
“The JV II played very well against a very tough Graham team,” Wilson said. “The girls played hard and got some great hustle to keep it close.”
Albany’s JV II also fell 12-25, 11-25 to Hawley.
“Our back row had some great passes, but we just couldn’t find a hole in their defense,” Wilson said.
