Lady Wildcats pick up wins
By Bart Moss for the FCT
Tharptown’s varsity volleyball team traveled to Colbert County Oct. 2, where they picked up two wins against 3A Colbert County High and 3A Lauderdale County High.
The Lady Wildcats held strong the first set but lost 26-24 to CCHS. They then came back to win the second set 28-26. The final set was a struggle, with the Lady Wildcats coming out on top 15-13.
Setter MaKensy Hester reeled in 50 assists, four aces and six digs. Setter Kasey McCormack racked up 60 assists. Sophomore Adriana Borden had nine kills, while fellow sophomores Brooke Daily landed eight kills and five digs, and Annslee Bottoms had two kills and four digs. Seniors Breanna Gasque and Ameliah Dawson gained a combined nine kills and five aces. Junior Erica Gray delivered five aces, four kills and two game-changing saves.
“After coming off such a close game with Belgreen, we really started off so slowly, and it took a while to get warmed up,” said Tharptown coach Tracey Fretwell. “Once we got focused, the girls really picked up their effort.”
The Lady Wildcats went straight into their second match, delivering a win in the first set against Lauderdale County High 25-22. The Lady Tigers fought back to gain a 25-23 win in the second set, sending the game into a third set. The Lady Wildcats dominated that set, capturing a 15-8 win.
“Lauderdale County came out really strong in that second set, and it had me nervous,” Fretwell said.
Daily led the way with 10 kills, three aces, two blocks and three digs. Hester put up 42 assists and three digs, while Kasey McComack had 32 assists and two kills. Gray had six assists, four kills and three digs. Borden had three kills, five blocks and two digs. Senior Cara Ergle led the way in serving with 20 good serves, and sister Olivia Ergle pulled in 20 assists.
Dawson racked up three kills and six blocks, while fellow Gasque had four aces, two kills and two blocks.
“We really started blocking in this match, and I think it made all the difference,” said Fretwell, “There’s nothing like the feeling of blocking a hard spike. It really gets the momentum rolling.”
The Lady Wildcats travel to Hackleburg Oct. 3 to play the Lady Panthers in a tri-match with Lynn and then will host Colbert County Oct. 5.
