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Season ends at bi-district

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By Sam Waller

The season came to an abrupt end for the Albany Lady Lions Tuesday night when they lost their bid for a bi-district title to Sonora, the third place team from District 5-2A.

The game, played at San Angelo Lake View, was over in three sets, 25-18, 25-22, 25-23. Details will be reported next week.

Albany finishes with a 24-9 overall record and 7-1 in district.

Reneau’s 100th Win

On Tuesday, Oct. 25, Albany closed out District 6-2A play by beating Ranger 25-8, 25-13, 25-14 on the road.

On Saturday, Oct. 29, the Lady Lions swept Aspermont 25-13, 29-27, 25-20 in a warmup match at home.

Saturday’s match was the 100th coaching win for Lady Lion coach M.J. Reneau.

“I’d mentioned to the girls early in the season that I might get my 100th win, then just left it alone after that,” said Reneau, who is in her fourth season as a head coach, all at Albany. “Someone was behind the scenes working, and it was really fun.”

More significant last week was the return of junior middle blocker Kiana Roberson, who missed four district matches with an ankle injury. Roberson had five kills and a block against Ranger and five kills against Aspermont.

“It felt good to be out there with my team, supporting them,” Roberson said. “It is great to be in that environment again and be able to help. It made me more confident for the playoffs.”

Roberson was limited to playing on the front row against Ranger, but she played all the way around against Aspermont.

“We were trying to build Kiana’s confidence, but she’s working hard,” Reneau said earlier this week. “She played like she hasn’t skipped a beat.”

At Ranger, Albany enjoyed a strong service game with 20 aces, eight by Abi Hale. Caroline Holson led the Lady Lions with eight kills while Caroline Chapman joined Roberson with five. Hale had 25 assists, and Robin Lucas recorded a team-high eight digs.

ALBANY VS. RANGER

PLAYER Serves Aces Kills Digs Blks Asst

R.Lucas 11 4 - 8 - -

G.Price 5 1 - 4 - -

B.Kayga - - 1 - - -

C.Edgar - - 2 - - 1

E.Webb - - 3 - 1 -

A.Hale 20 8 3 6 0 25

C.Chapman 7 2 5 1 - -

By.Abbate - - 2 - - -

C.Holson 8 3 8 5 - -

K.Roberson 10 2 5 4 1 -

Bk.Abbate - - - 2 - -

Against Aspermont, the Lady Lions received a good test from another playoff qualifier.

“I was proud of the girls for getting it done in three,” Reneau said. “I was glad it was a close match and that we finished strong.”

Albany was able to match the quicker pace the Lady Hornets played at, with four players in addition to Hale recording assists.

“Aspermont was very scrappy,” Reneau said after the game. “I think that was a very good practice match for us to get ready for Sonora. Sonora will look a lot like Aspermont as far as being scrappy, having a good setter and a couple of good servers.”

Ella Webb had nine kills and a block with Holson getting eight kills and three blocks. Hale finished with 21 assists and joined Holson with three service aces. Lucas had 19 digs with Hale adding 17.

“I thought we stepped it up,” Reneau said. “It definitely helped us get ready.”

ALBANY VS. ASPERMONT

PLAYER Serves Aces Kills Digs Blks Asst

R.Lucas 6 1 2 19 - 1

G.Price 17 2 - 5 - -

B.Kayga - - - - - -

C.Edgar - - 1 2 1 2

E.Webb 1 - 9 4 1 -

A.Hale 16 3 3 17 1 21

C.Chapman 7 - 3 1 - -

By.Abbate - - - - - -

C.Holson 16 3 8 5 3 2

K.Roberson 11 1 5 4 - 1

Bk.Abbate - - 1 - - -