Lady Tigers defeat Fairfield in 3 sets
Lead Summary
By
Jim Jones-
GREENFIELD — The McClain varsity volleyball team showed no ill effects from being off for the Highland County Fair with a three-set victory over county rival Fairfield, Monday night at McClain High School.
McClain dominated the first two sets, winning 25-7 and 25-14 before the Lady Lions showed no quit in game three, losing a tough, hard-fought battle, 25-20.
“I thought my girls came out and played with a lot of intensity and confidence tonight, especially in those first two games,” McClain head coach Taylor Alsop said. “In the third game, we slowed down a little and got a little tired, but overall I’m very happy with the way we played.
[[In-content Ad]]
“I also thought our floor coverage was really good and much better than it has been in some previous games.”
In game one, the Lady Tigers started off with an impressive 16-0 start behind the power serving of senior standout Chayden Pitzer. Pitzer and fellow front-line teammate Taylor Butterbaugh were also outstanding at the net in the lopsided 25-7 win. The two combined for 14 kills in the match on just 21 attempts.
In game two, the Lady Lions grabbed an early lead, only to see McClain come back behind the serving of Hunter Scott and Makenzie Montavon, propelling them to the 25-14 win. The third game of the match proved to be the most exciting and hard-fought, as the scrappy Fairfield girls kept it close throughout.
“McClain started the match with a strong server in Pitzer, and she had a great start for them,” Fairfield head coach Megan Young said. “I thought our girls played much better in the last two games after getting down early, and they didn’t give up, and that’s all I can really ask for.
“We didn’t get to practice all last week because of the fair, and it really showed. Before the break, we were playing hard, and our girls were moving well and playing together.
“Ciara Knisley played pretty well as our middle-hitter, and Lauren Arnold, our libero, showed good coverage of the floor.”
Coach Alsop was very pleased with how well her team played despite the layoff for the fair.
“We are still a very young team with most of my juniors having little or no varsity experience last year, but they’re all doing a really good job of learning my system and adapting to the changes I’ve made,” Alsop said. “Macie Adams and Allara Spurlock, our defense specialists, both had really nice games from the back row.
“I’m trying to keep everyone up and staying positive, and that can be difficult to do, but that’s one of main team goals moving forward right now.”
McClain travels to Chillicothe Tuesday before returning home to host Washington on Thursday. Fairfield entertains Peebles Tuesday, then travels to Eastern Brown on Wednesday.
With the win, the Lady Tigers improve to 3-6 overall, and the Lady Lions fall to 3-5 on the season.
McClain dominated the first two sets, winning 25-7 and 25-14 before the Lady Lions showed no quit in game three, losing a tough, hard-fought battle, 25-20.
“I thought my girls came out and played with a lot of intensity and confidence tonight, especially in those first two games,” McClain head coach Taylor Alsop said. “In the third game, we slowed down a little and got a little tired, but overall I’m very happy with the way we played.
[[In-content Ad]]
“I also thought our floor coverage was really good and much better than it has been in some previous games.”
In game one, the Lady Tigers started off with an impressive 16-0 start behind the power serving of senior standout Chayden Pitzer. Pitzer and fellow front-line teammate Taylor Butterbaugh were also outstanding at the net in the lopsided 25-7 win. The two combined for 14 kills in the match on just 21 attempts.
In game two, the Lady Lions grabbed an early lead, only to see McClain come back behind the serving of Hunter Scott and Makenzie Montavon, propelling them to the 25-14 win. The third game of the match proved to be the most exciting and hard-fought, as the scrappy Fairfield girls kept it close throughout.
“McClain started the match with a strong server in Pitzer, and she had a great start for them,” Fairfield head coach Megan Young said. “I thought our girls played much better in the last two games after getting down early, and they didn’t give up, and that’s all I can really ask for.
“We didn’t get to practice all last week because of the fair, and it really showed. Before the break, we were playing hard, and our girls were moving well and playing together.
“Ciara Knisley played pretty well as our middle-hitter, and Lauren Arnold, our libero, showed good coverage of the floor.”
Coach Alsop was very pleased with how well her team played despite the layoff for the fair.
“We are still a very young team with most of my juniors having little or no varsity experience last year, but they’re all doing a really good job of learning my system and adapting to the changes I’ve made,” Alsop said. “Macie Adams and Allara Spurlock, our defense specialists, both had really nice games from the back row.
“I’m trying to keep everyone up and staying positive, and that can be difficult to do, but that’s one of main team goals moving forward right now.”
McClain travels to Chillicothe Tuesday before returning home to host Washington on Thursday. Fairfield entertains Peebles Tuesday, then travels to Eastern Brown on Wednesday.
With the win, the Lady Tigers improve to 3-6 overall, and the Lady Lions fall to 3-5 on the season.