Photo by Carey Phillips
Amanda Magruder hits the ball over from the back row in Smoky Mountain's victory over Tuscola last week to clinch the Western Athletic Conference volleyball championship.
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Smoky Mountain clinched the Western Athletic Conference volleyball championship with a 16-14, 15-3, 12-15, 15-5 victory over Tuscola Oct. 11 at the SM gym.
The Lady Mustangs won the league title for the first time since 1996 when they finished a run of seven straight WAC crowns. "I'm real happy for our girls," Coach Cindi Simmons said. "They've worked hard, and they're very deserving. Now we want to continue to stay focused and complete the regular season." SM will open the state playoffs at home Oct. 31 against the third seed from the Western Foothills Conference. Possible opponents include South Iredell and East Lincoln. The Lady Mustangs fell behind 8-4 in game one but rallied for an 11-10 edge on four points from Kaitlin Ritchie and a Lindsey Lewis kill. Melissa Collins served three points, including an ace, and Ritchie had consecutive kills making it 14-10. SM missed out on two game points, and the Lady Mountaineers fought back for a 14-14 tie. Ritchie served the final two points of the game, which ended on an ace. |
SM will resume action