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Lady Mustangs win conference opener
Smoky Mountain opened the Mountain Athletic Conference portion of its volleyball schedule with a 25-19, 26-24, 22-25, 25-8 win over Asheville on Aug. 24 at the SM gym.
The Lady Mustangs were up and down through the first three games but played their best volleyball of the season in game four.
“I was really pleased with the way we played in the last game,” Coach Tonya Wilson said. “Everything was clicking. We played with a lot of intensity and were doing things right.”
The Lady Mustangs opened an 11-6 lead in the fourth game after four points, including an ace, by Sarah Haggard and Katie Crisp’s kill. They put the game away behind the serving of Bridget Brannigan, who reeled off 12 consecutive points, including three aces, for a 24-8 margin. Amy Haggard put down three kills during that spurt, and Jennifer Webb had a kill and a block. The game ended on a side out.
“Each individual did exactly what they needed to do in the last game,” Wilson said. “That’s the key. When you get six players to show up at the same time, that’s the key.”
Amy Haggard’s 10 straight points, including an ace, along with two kills by Brannigan and a kill and block by Kristine Webb opened a 14-3 advantage in the first game. The Lady Cougars slowly began to chip away and cut the gap to 20-16 before SM recovered. The game ended on a side out.
Sarah Haggard’s three points and Jennifer Webb’s block gave the Lady Mustangs an 8-5 edge in the second game. Asheville went ahead at 10-9 and held the lead most of the game. SM went back in front at the end and won on Erin Hayes’ serve.
Amy Haggard’s three points and Kristine Webb’s block put SM up 5-3 in game three. The margin was as much as 12-7 before the Lady Cougars fought back and took the lead for good at 19-18.
Brannigan had 16 service points, including six aces, and nine kills. Amy Haggard recorded 14 service points and 12 digs. Jennifer Webb was tops in blocks with four, and Crisp handed out 11 assists.
Hayes served 92.9 percent followed by Amy Haggard at 90.5 percent. Team serving was 83.5 percent.
The Lady Mustang JVs won 25-16, 25-13.
“Our serving was really strong,” Coach Deb Moore said. “We’re still working on our fundamentals. We had three hits several times, and we’re communicating better.”
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