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Lady Hawks win over SM in opening match
Smoky Mountain played well in game one, but North Buncombe recovered to take a 15-25, 25-23, 25-15, 25-20 volleyball victory over Smoky Mountain in the Lady Mustangs’ season-opener on Aug. 26 at Cullowhee Valley.
“We came out really strong and played an exceptional game in the first game,” Coach Tonya Snider said. “We were pumped up and ready to play, and the intensity level was high. Starting with the second game, there were critical points where it turned around.”
SM got six service points, including an ace, from Colleen Davis along with two kills and two blocks by Jennifer Webb to lead 8-2 in the opening game. The next best run in the game was three points from Brittany Gilbert for a 19-11 advantage. The game ended on Webb’s kill with Amy Haggard serving.
The Lady Hawks led most of game two, but three points from Kelli Woodard along with kills by Amy and Sarah Haggard cut the gap to 16-13. Amy Haggard served six points, including an ace, and Webb had three straight kills putting the Lady Mustangs up 20-18. North scored the game’s final four points.
The third game was tied 14-14, but the Lady Hawks finished on an 11-1 flurry.
North led throughout the fourth game. SM cut the gap to 19-17 after three points from Davis and Webb’s block but couldn’t come any closer.
“The change in momentum can be attributed to our serving and serve receiving,” Snider said. “Our passing was almost perfect early in the match. I don’t know if it was a loss of concentration or nerves.”
Sarah Haggard handed out 28 assists. Webb and Amy Haggard recorded 17 and 14 assists, respectively. Gilbert led in digs with four.
Davis was tops in service points with 14 while serving 90.9 percent. Not missing a serve were Woodard and LeNay Shular (11 each) and Gilbert (five). Amy Haggard served 92.3 percent.
Team serving was 90.5 percent.
“Jennifer did extremely well at the net offensively and defensively,” Snider said. “Sarah took on a lot of responsibility as our only setter, and she handled that well.”
North won the JV match 25-20, 25-12.
“I believe we’re going to have a good team,” Coach Natasha Wilson said. “We’re just inexperienced with only two sophomores. Our passing has to get stronger.”
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