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Lady Mustangs rally for win over Tuscola in five games
Smoky Mountain rallied from a two games to one deficit to claim a 16-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-18, 15-7 non-conference volleyball victory last Thursday at Tuscola.
“I’m thrilled to beat Tuscola,” Coach Tonya Snider said. “We needed that win to give some confidence to this young team and prove we can compete with even the larger schools.”
Smoky Mountain’s Amy Haggard goes for one of her 14 kills in last week’s four-game victory at Tuscola. – Photo by Mark Haskett
She was pleased to see her team bounce back and even its record after losing the opener to North Buncombe the night before.
“The most exciting part about the win was we had to do it in five games,” she said. “They believed the whole time they could win, and they hung in and fought hard to pull it out.”
Against North, the Lady Mustangs had won the first game but lost the match.
“We were in the opposite position of the night before,” the coach said. “We knew it wasn’t over after losing the first match.”
SM never trailed in the fifth game. Jennifer Webb’s four points and a kill by Amy Haggard made it 9-3. Kelli Woodard served the final three points of the match with Haggard providing a kill.
With their backs to the wall, the Lady Mustangs stayed alive by winning the fourth game. Colleen Davis served three points, and Webb had a kill for a 4-3 edge. After falling behind, SM took the lead for good at 14-12 as Woodard served six points and Haggard had a kill. Webb’s three service points kept her team on top 21-16. The game ended on a side out.
Tuscola opened the match strong and led throughout the first game. Sarah Haggard served three points, and Webb had a block and kill, but the Lady Mustangs still trailed 18-12. The Lady Mountaineers breezed from there.
Webb’s three points put SM up 6-3 in game two, and Tuscola never made a serious run. Sarah Haggard served the clinching point.
The Lady Mounties broke away from a 6-6 tie to build a 20-11 lead in the third game and held on for the win.
“The biggest thing that happened is we weren’t so nervous like we were in the North Buncombe match,” Snider said. “We were able to maintain a high level of intensity but still remain calm. They played a lot more with their heads.”
Woodard finished with 13 service points. She was followed by Webb with 11 and Davis with 10. Davis was perfect in 19 serves. Also not missing a serve were Katie Johnson (three) and Cassie Randall (one). Webb served 95 percent.
The Lady Mustangs served 86.9 percent, but five of their 13 misses came in the first rotation of the match.
Webb and Amy Haggard both put down 12 kills with Webb adding four blocks. Sarah Haggard totaled 29 assists.
Among the top serve receivers were Brittany Gilbert (13-15), Haggard (10-12) and Woodard (13-16). Davis led in digs with four.
“Jennifer showed great presence at the net,” Snider said. “She did a good job of shutting down their middle hitter offensive and defensively. She served well and did well on the back row while serving.”
“Sarah showed some great leadership on the court and made some smart decisions,” the coach added. “She’s our offensive leader and did a great job of keeping the team under control.”
Snider also singled out Gilbert for her back row play. Under a rule change this year, she has taken on the role of libero, or defensive specialist, and handled it well, the coach said.
The Lady Mustang JVs fell to 0-2 with a 25-6, 20-25, 25-21 loss.
“We played better tonight, but we’ve got to start coming out stronger in the first game,” Coach Natasha Wilson said. “We need to work on our serving under pressure, but I was happy with the intensity level in the last two games.”
She singled out Taylor Boss for her passing.
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