Smoky Mountain's Bonnie Claxton handles a
serve reception in last week's loss to East Henderson. - Herald
photo by Nick Breedlove
All but the first game went down to the wire as
East Henderson pulled out a 25-19, 23-25, 25-23, 28-26 Mountain
Athletic Conference volleyball victory over Smoky Mountain on
Aug. 26 at the SM gym.
"It was a tough loss," Coach Cindi Simmons said. "We
were right there in games three and four. We just weren't able
to get over the hump."
Danielle Bowers led the Lady Mustangs with 13 kills and three
blocks. Katie Crisp had 18 assists.
SM led 12-7 in the first game after three points, including
two aces, by Natalie Cantler. East took the lead for good at
20-18 while closing the game on a 10-2 run.
Three points, including an ace, by Katie Crisp produced a 10-10
tie in game two. Cantler ran off five points, including an ace,
helping the Lady Mustangs take a 16-11 advantage. East closed
within a point three times late in the game before Cantler served
the clinching point.
Danielle Bowers served three points, and Kristine Webb had a
kill producing a 6-6 tie in the third game. The Lady Eagles
did not trail the rest of the way, but SM kept the pressure
on. Bonnie Claxton served three points, including two aces,
and Bowers added a kill making it 18-18. The Lady Mustangs were
as close as 24-23, but East won on a side out.
SM went up 4-1 in the fourth game after Ryan Cook served three
points and Bowers had a kill. The Lady Mustangs looked to be
on their way to evening the match as they gradually built the
lead to 13-5. The Lady Eagles turned things around with a 10-2
spurt for a 15-15 tie. The Lady Mustangs held a 19-15 edge after
Claxton served three points, including two aces, and Bowers
had a kill. Both teams missed opportunities down the stretch.
SM served once for the game, and East served two match points
before winning on a side out.
Cook and Cantler had 11 and 10 service points, respectively.
Bowers was perfect in 15 serves. Cook served 95.2 percent followed
by Crisp at 92.3 Team serving was 88.4 percent.
East won the JV match 27-25, 26-24. Amy Haggard, Kelli Woodard
and Katie Johnson all had four kills.
"Brandi Anders served very well in the second game to bring
us back at 23-23," Coach Amanda Queen said.
