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Lady Mustang volleyball team defeats Franklin for first time in five seasons
Smoky Mountain’s volleyball team ran its record to 2-0 with a thrilling 25-27, 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 16-14 win over Franklin last Thursday at the SM gym.
It was the first victory for the Lady Mustangs over Franklin since 2001.
“Blocking was huge for us,” Coach Ken Walker said. “It was a total team effort. They played full-on and did a great job. It showed a lot of character to pull out this game.”
SM moved ahead 5-2 in game five after three points from Amy Haggard and consecutive kills by Brittany Gilbert. The Lady Panthers took a 13-10 lead and at one point served for the match. SM tied the game 14-14 with a side out then took a 15-14 edge on Sarah Haggard’s ace. Amy Haggard’s kill off Sarah Haggard’s serve won the match.
Brittany Gilbert goes for a kill in Smoky Mountain’s five-game win over Franklin last Thursday at the SM gym. – Photo by Mark Haskett
Franklin controlled most of game one after going up 12-6. The Lady Mustangs battled back and pulled into a 24-24 tie after Megan Taylor served three points and Cassie Randall had a kill. The Lady Panthers won on the second game point.
Taylor served the first three points of the second game, and Amy Haggard had a block. Franklin took a 12-9 advantage, but Sarah Haggard served five points, including an ace, and Amy Haggard had a kill giving SM the lead for good at 20-17. Kelli Woodard served the game’s last two points, including an ace.
The Lady Panthers led most of game three until Amy Haggard served four points, including an ace, and Woodard had a kill giving the Lady Mustangs a 19-16 lead. Brittany Gilbert served the final two points with Amy Haggard having consecutive kills.
Franklin took a 10-4 advantage in the fourth game and stayed in front the rest of the way.
Amy Haggard put down 15 kills and had four blocks. Woodard also finished with 15 kills. Sarah Haggard dished out 33 assists.
Gilbert and Sarah Haggard led in service points with 11 apiece, and Amy Haggard, who was perfect in 20 serves, had 10. Sarah Haggard served 90.9 percent.
Team serving was 87.2 percent.
The Lady Mustang JVs fell to 0-2 with a 25-15, 25-17 loss.
“Not having a middle school definitely hurts us at the JV level,” Coach Natasha Wilson said. “It takes experience to win ball games, and we’ve just got to get that.”
SM changed to a 5-1 offense. Wilson cited Brittany Woodard for doing a good job as the lone setter.
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