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Smoky Mountain tops Murphy in initial volleyball match of season
Smoky Mountain downed Murphy 25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 25-23 Monday in the volleyball season-opener at Murphy marking a successful debut for SM’s new coach, Tonya Wilson.
“I was a little disappointed that we let Murphy play us so tight, but at the same time it turned out to be a good experience,” Wilson said. “It gave the girls some pressure situations, and they handled that really well.”
Kristine Webb paced the Lady Mustangs at the net with 12 kills and 6.5 blocks. Katie Crisp handed out 11 assists. Bridget Brannigan was tops in digs (six) and aces (four).
Smoky Mountain’s Kristine Webb had 12 kills and 6.5 assists as the Lady Mustangs opened their volleyball season Monday with a win over Murphy in four games. – Photo by Mark Haskett
Bonnie Adams led in service points with 18. Amy Haggard served 90 percent. Not missing a serve were Lillian Crites (seven) and Katie Johnson (three).
“Offensively, we looked pretty strong, but getting the first pass to the setter is what we continue to struggle with.” Wilson said.
She singled out Webb for her performance at the net and said Erin Hayes provided consistent play on the back row.
SM never trailed in the first game after going up 6-3 on three points from Haggard along with Webb’s block and Brannigan’s kill. The margin reached 17-10 after Adams served four points combined with Webb’s kill and Haggard’s block. Erin Hayes served two aces among her three points making it 23-16. The game ended on Ale Ensley’s ace.
Crisp’s three points, including an ace, put the Lady Mustangs up 4-2 in the second game. After they fell behind, Adams served three points and Webb had a kill for a 12-12 tie. SM trailed 19-15, but Sarah Haggard’s three points, including an ace, and Crisp’s kill cut the gap to 22-21. Brannigan served the last three points for the win.
The Lady Bulldogs never trailed in game three and led by as much as 17-10. Brannigan’s three points, including an ace, cut the gap to 22-18. SM came as close as 23-21 on two points, including an ace, by Adams, but Murphy held on.
Adams reeled off the first nine points, including an ace, in the fourth game. Webb and Amy Haggard controlled the net during that span as Webb had two kills and a block and Haggard contributed a kill and a block. The game quickly turned with Murphy scoring the next 10 points, and neither team was up by more than three the rest of the way. Brannigan’s three points, including an ace, along with kills by Johnson and Amy Haggard produced an 18-18 tie. SM took the lead for good at 22-19 after Lillian Crites served three points, including an ace, and Webb had a kill. Amy Haggard served the clinching point with the match ending on Webb’s block.
The Lady Mustang JVs began their season with a 25-23, 25-20 win. Kelli Woodard served eight straight points as they rallied from a 22-16 deficit in the first game.
“We’re still working on our serving consistency, transition from offense to defense and just playing smart volleyball,” Coach Deb Moore said. “I was very pleased with how we came back in the first game. That says a lot about a team. You can’t coach that. It’s got to come from inside.”
Moore called Woodard the team leader and said she had some nice hits in addition to her serving. Also singled out was LeNay Shular’s, whose serving resulted in several aces.
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