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Lady Mustangs top Tuscola
Volleyball Julie Cagle handles a serve reception for Smoky Mountain in last week's victory over Tuscola. Also pictured is Ryan Cook. - Herald photo by Carey Phillips Smoky Mountain's volleyball team took a 15-12, 15-12, 15-12 Mountain Athletic Conference victory on Oct. 1 at Tuscola.

"It was a big win for us," Coach Cindi Simmons said. "We started off strong then when Tuscola had us down in game two we didn't hang our heads. We fought back and finished strong which is what we've been working for."

The Lady Mustangs took a 3-1 edge in the first game on two points by Stasha Nicholson and stayed ahead the rest of the way. They slowly built the margin to 11-1 before Tuscola reeled off eight straight points cutting the gap to 11-9. Brittany Hilton's two points and Elizabeth Trine's kill ended the drought making it 13-9. After missing on three game points, Katie Crisp served the winner.

The Lady Mountaineers led 3-0 and 7-4 in the second game before SM ran off six consecutive points. Hilton had the last five of those with Trine contributing a kill and a block and Ryan Cook adding a kill for a 10-7 advantage.

Tuscola responded with five points to go back in front 12-10. Nicholson's three points and Cook's two kills gave the Lady Mustangs the lead for good at 12-10. Hilton served the last two points with Trine recording a kill.

Hilton served three points, including two aces, as SM took a 3-2 edge in the third game. The combination of Nicholson's serving (five points) and Hilton's net play (two kills and a block) extended the lead to 9-5. The same combination came through after the Lady Mounties had pulled into a 10-10 tie. Hilton had kills on Nicholson's two service points making it 13-10. Ryan Cook served match point.

Hilton put down 10 kills, and Ryan Cook had nine. Crisp and Jessica Cook both had nine assists.

Hilton and Nicholson led in service points with 14 and 13, respectively with both serving 91.3 percent. Jessica Cook served 93.3 percent, and Ryan Cook finished at 91.7 percent. Not missing a serve were Sunny Davies (four) and Danielle Bowers (one).

Team serving, which has been a problem in several matches, was back up to a respectable 90.6 percent.

The Lady Mustang JVs took a 15-12, 10-15, 15-10 victory. Laura Bowers served nine points in the first game.

"Our net play came together," Coach Amanda Queen said. "Our blockers were moving to the ball."

She said Leslie Mathis with six kills and Bridget Brannigan with five both had strong hitting games.

"Everything is coming together for this team," Queen said. "It's exciting for me to see that."

Back to Sports: 10/10/02.