Freeman, Lady Mavs ‘dig’ wins during busy week
The Anderson County Lady Mavericks Volleyball team had a very successful week of matches. The Lady Mavs faced the Clinton Lady Dragons in home-and-home matches, as well as hosted Grainger.
Here is an impressive stat — the Lady Mavs played ten sets throughout those three matches, and only lost one. Additionally, Anderson County turned a really good week into a great week with a weekend trip to Johnson City — returning with a little something for the trophy case.
“I think the girls are starting to play more as a team, and seeing what is happening on the other side of the court too,” said Head Coach Jayme Smith.
The Lady Mavs’ leader is sophomore setter Hannah Freeman. “She sets the tone. If she is in it, then the girls are in it,” said Smith. If you are an Anderson County supporter, go see her in action. She not only communicates like a leader, she plays like a leader too. Because her court coverage is elite, offensively and defensively, Freeman’s involvement on every point seems inevitable. However, her positioning is not the only quality that makes her stand out.
The sophomore is noticeably consistent and rarely commits faults. Yet, it is without a doubt that Freeman’s highest attribute is getting her teammates involved. When setting, she has quick vision and awareness to pick out an attacker and, from all areas of the court, continuously displays perfect amounts touch and finesse. “She is always on, and never has a bad game,” said Smith.
The bottom line is—Hannah Freeman can flat out play.
Last Tuesday, Clinton hosted Anderson County. The Lady Mavs would win the best-of-five match in straight sets 25-11, 18-25, 25-13.
Offensively, Freeman finished the match with 22 of the 23 Lady Mavericks’ assists. Additionally, she tallied three service aces and two kills. Sophomore outside hitter Morgan McMurray had 3 aces, finished the match with one assist, and had a team-high nine kills.
Also, Freshman middle Jayce Braden added six kills of her own, and, senior right side hitter Gracie Webb contributed two aces and three kills.
Defensively, Hannah Freeman’s sister, freshman libero Leah Freeman led the team with 16 digs. Hannah followed behind her sister with seven digs.
Braden was big at the net, with a team-leading three blocks. Webb, along with sophomore middle Mattie Rowland, followed with two blocks each.
Two days later, on Thursday, Anderson County hosted Grainger and Clinton. The Lady Mavericks faced Grainger first and routed the Lady Grizzles with ease, in straight sets, 25-8, 11-25, 25-15. On the other half of the gym, the Lady Dragons faced a talented Gibbs squad. Clinton fell in straight sets to the Lady Eagles, 25-14, 14-25, 25-13. After those matches, both teams were given a short warm-up period, and prepared for their rematch.
The Clinton Lady Dragons opened the match with strong first set, forcing the win-by-two rule to come into play.
The Lady Dragons, 28-26, would win the energetic, entertaining opening set.
However, the 0-1 deficit did not break Anderson County. The Lady Mavs found their rhythm in the second set and never looked back—going on to win three sets in a row.
Offensively, H. Freeman would rack up 34 assists and added five kills. Braden led the Lady Mavericks in kills, with 12. The freshman middle also had three aces and 2 assists. Sophomore outside hitter Bailey Wilder would also reach double-digit kills, with ten. Plus, Wilder would score four aces and tally one assist. Leah Freeman would once again prove why she wears the different colored jersey, as the defensive specialist totaled 17 digs.
McMurray followed closely with 14 digs, while both H. Freeman and Wilder totaled 12 each. Rowland would lead the Lady Mavs at the net, with four blocks. Anderson County’s 3-1 victory over the Lady Dragons moved them to 3-0 for the week.
Over the weekend, the Lady Mavericks traveled to Johnson City, and competed in the Mountain Empire Classic at Science Hill.
In bracket-style play, Anderson County dropped three best-of-three matches in row to Union (VA), Sullivan South, and David Crockett. However, the Lady Mavericks would bounce back.
Anderson County defeated Coeburn/St. Paul Eastside (VA) in straight sets 25-4, 14-25. Then defeated Greenville in straight sets 25-6, 17-25, to advance to the silver bracket championship match. In the title game, the Lady Mavs would be crowned Mountain Empire Classic silver bracket champions, as they took down Jefferson County in straight sets 25-14, 19-25.
When asked about her thoughts on the team’s performance last week, Hannah Freeman replied “Impressive. It is encouraging to see our team step up and take the wins that we need to take.” Wins will keep coming, especially if Anderson County keeps chasing their goal.
“Our goal is to keep getting better,” said Smith, and the Lady Mavs have opportunities to do so this week. Anderson County will host Union County on Thursday, September 20, and Alcoa on Tuesday, Sept. 25. First serve, for both matches, is scheduled for 6 p.m.
