Varsity pulls out 5-set win against Eastland
By Donnie A. Lucas
The varsity girls volleyball team took two area opponents to four sets last week, coming up short in two close matches against Jim Ned and Abilene Christian High School.
Albany faced another tough opponent at home on Tuesday, posting a hard-fought 23-25, 24-26, 25-13, 25-21, 15-9 win over Eastland. Details from the match were not available at press time but will be published next week.
The varsity will be on the road Thursday to play in the Dublin Tournament, with bracket play starting Saturday.
Albany will face Jim Ned at 9:00 a.m. Thursday in the first pool game, followed by Clifton at 1:00 p.m. and Blum at 4:00 p.m.
The Lady Lions will play a full set of matches in Clyde next Tuesday starting at 4:30 p.m. with the JV II.
The varsity hosted Jim Ned on Aug. 13, taking the match to four sets 21-25, 17-25, 26-24, 20-25.
“We played scrappy defense, recording 77 digs during the game against Jim Ned,” coach M.J. Reneau said. “We were still able to attack, getting 38 kills including 14 by Alli Hill and 11 by Sara Beth Cotter. Torie Fuentes and Hill picked up a combined 40 digs.”
The coach said that the team showed signs of improvement despite the loss.
“Taking Jim Ned to four sets shows us that we are making progress as a team and getting better with every game we play,” she said.
albany VS. Jim Ned
PLAYER Serves Kills Digs Blks Asst
Torie Fuentes 11 0 19 0 1
Blanton Belcher 9 0 9 0 0
Alli Hill 10 14 21 1 0
Ansleigh Garcia 0 2 1 0 0
Sarah Beth Cotter 16 11 6 1 0
Clara Holson 16 2 8 0 26
Hanna Trail 0 0 1 0 0
Addie Beth Denton 0 6 4 0 0
Taylor Scott 15 3 8 0 1
The Lady Lions evened out their season record at 4-4 with another close bout against Abilene Christian High School, 18-25, 26-24, 18-25, 19-25.
“We are playing a tough pre-season schedule to prepare us for the post season,” the coach said. “I don’t feel that our record is a true reflection of how our season has started.”
She added that every game is a learning experience that will help prepare the team for the district race and the playoffs.
“Our focus will be not to give as many points away as we did at ACHS,” she said.
albany VS.ACHS
PLAYER Serves Kills Digs Blks Asst
Torie Fuentes 2 0 15 0 1
Blanton Belcher 11 0 9 0 0
Alli Hill 9 12 17 1 0
Ansleigh Garcia 0 1 0 0 0
Sarah Beth Cotter 8 8 0 1 0
Clara Holson 10 1 10 0 19
Hannah Trail 0 2 3 0 0
Addie Beth Denton 0 0 2 0 0
Mady Connally 0 2 1 1 0
Taylor Scott 8 0 12 0 0
JV Results
The JV I Red team won both games last week, defeating Jim Ned and ACHS to improve to 7-1 for the season.
The JV lost the first set 21-25 to Jim Ned, but rallied to earn the win 25-20 and 15-12.
“The team definitely improved coming into the second game against a very good Jim Ned team,” coach Jamie Wilson said. “The girls went from losing in two earlier in the season to winning in three. I think their mindset was different, and they didn’t want to get beat by the same team again.”
The JV Red also handed ACHS a 25-18, 25-21 loss on Saturday in Abilene.
“We were a little sluggish in this match, but pulled out the win,” the coach said. “We are still finding things to be worked on with each game.”
The JV II White team lost their lone game last week to Jim Ned, 13-25, 21-25.
“The girls continue to get better every time we play,” Wilson said, “but there still are things to be improved.”
