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Swain takes victory over Lady Mustangs
Swain held off Smoky Mountain 25-21, 20-25, 25-23, 25-21 in a non-conference volleyball match Sept. 12 at the SM gym.
“We served really well, and our intensity level and focus were higher than in some of the previous matches,” Coach Tonya Snider said. “It was hard to lose, but at the same time we felt like it was one of the better games we’ve had recently.”
Smoky Mountain’s Kelli Woodard keeps the ball in play during last week’s three-game loss to Swain. – Photo by Mark Haskett
Sarah Haggard had three early aces as SM led 4-1 in the first game. The Lady Devils rallied for a 12-8 edge, but SM pulled into a 20-20 tie after two points from LeNay Shular. Swain scored five of the game’s last six points.
The Lady Mustangs took a 15-11 advantage in game two after Haggard served three points with Jennifer Webb contributing two blocks and a kill. The game ended on a side out.
SM was up 5-3 in game three after three points from Colleen Davis and Webb’s block. The Lady Devils opened a 14-10 advantage and held a narrow lead the rest of the way.
They also claimed a 14-10 lead in game four and won it in similar fashion.
“Swain is such a scrappy team,” Snider said. “There were a lot of times we celebrated too early before the play was over. Against another team, it might have been. If there’s one thing we learned from this game, it’s that you have to play until the play is over.”
Sarah Haggard handed out 34 assists. Webb finished with eight kills and six blocks. Amy Haggard came up with 10 digs while Kelli Woodard handled 14 of 16 serve receptions.
Sarah Haggard led in service points with 12. Not missing a serve were Colleen Davis (17), Shular and Amy Haggard (12), Cassie Randall (seven) and Webb (three). Woodard served 94.1 percent. Team serving was 95.6 percent.
“I felt we were a better team walking off the court than we were when we stepped on it,” Snider said.
She noted the Lady Mustangs continue to have problems with their passing.
Swain won the JV match 25-9, 25-19.
“We did not play well,” Coach Natasha Wilson said. “Brittany Haskett carried us with her serves.”
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