RHS beats West Point; clinches 5A season title
The Russellville Golden Tigers had a memorable evening last week on the home volleyball court as the varsity team clinched first place in Class 5A Area 15 for the regular season.
RHS hosted West Point for a match that would decide the area race with the winner taking the top spot and the right to host the upcoming area tournament.
The Golden Tigers dropped the first two sets to the Warriors to start the match, but roared back by winning the final three sets to earn the exciting 3-2 victory by scores of 24-26, 20-25, 25-23, 26-24 and 15-12.
“It was fantastic,” head coach Madison Lamon said about the win. “We got down 0-2 and the girls played with grit and never gave up. I’m very proud of them for never quitting even when we were down.”
Lamon said the players on the bench were also important in securing the victory by cheering on their teammates and being ready to produce when it was their time to enter the match.
Russellville’s Laila Hill had 25 kills to lead the team, and Blevyn Sappington added nine during the win over West Point.
Fatima Ramirez had 26 assists for RHS and Alexia Groce had 13.
Bri McCulloch was amazing on defense with 58 digs. Ramirez added 16 digs, Sappington had 14 and Erin Grimes had a total of 11. Bella Malone led RHS with three blocks.
After the win over West Point, Russellville defeated Class 4A Hamilton that same evening, 2-0 by scores of 25-12 and 25-10.
Hill led RHS with six kills. Ramirez had 11 assists and McCulloch recorded 13 digs.
Russellville (38-15) finished the regular season on Oct. 9 with a road loss to Austin High School. The talented Black Bears took the 3-0 win by scores of 25-13, 25-19 and 25-13.
Hill had six kills for RHS. Ramirez added eight assists and McCulloch had 21 digs.
Russellville will host the area tournament on Oct. 16. The Golden Tigers will receive a first-round bye and will take on the winner of the West Point-Lawrence County match in the area tournament championship game. Both the area tournament winner and runner-up will advance to the regional tournament.
