Lady Tigers earn volleyball sectional quarterfinal win over River Valley
The McClain Lady Tigers volleyball team, pictured with head coach Taylor Alsop, celebrate their win in sectional tournament play. (HCP Photos/Jim Jones)
GREENFIELD — The McClain varsity volleyball team were a little short-handed Saturday when they hosted River Valley in a Division II sectional quarterfinal game, but even without the services of starting libero Katie Cook, they still won with a 3-0 sweep of the No. 19 Lady Raiders.
The No. 14 Lady Tigers entered the game without Cook and Leah Lovett, who has also logged a lot of minutes lately, but senior Harley Peabody and several other players stepped in the back row and performed admirably in their absence.
“Katie and Leah were attending a state soil competition for FFA, but I think Harley stepped up and played really well for us in the libero position,” McClain head coach Taylor Alsop said. “Losing Katie in the back row is like losing two spots, but Harley, along with Brie Cummins, Sarah Easter, Maddy Giffin and Lillie Saunders, all filled in the back row and played really well.”
McClain won the first game in convincing style with a 25-8 victory and took game two by a 25-15 count, but had to really battle in the third set to pull out the 25-23 hard-earned victory to sweep the match.
The Lady Tigers led from start to finish in the first game but had to come back after early deficits in the last two sets to win.
McClain’s front row play of Kylea Toney, Anna Eikenberry, Brenna Wright and Reagan Wisecup was outstanding, along with freshman Anzli Beatty, who also logged some big minutes in the match.
Lily Barnes continued her middle-row prowess with some spot-on assists setting up the front row line, who finished off rallies with several powerful and unreturnable kills at the net.
“I told our girls that I was going to make some adjustments in this match, and after we got up early in that first set, I was able to get some other girls in, giving them some valuable varsity experience,” Alsop said. “Brenna Wright played a little bit everywhere today and did a really good job even in the back row, and honestly, I think everyone played great today.
“This was a good start for the tournament, and if we can stay focused for the entire match against Circleville, I think we can do well and have a pretty good chance to win.”
The Lady Tigers continue tournament play Monday, Oct. 16 when they travel to Circleville, who is the No. 3 seed.
