Lady Senator volleyball still perfect
The Lady Senator Volleyball Team finished its second week of the young season with four wins against Area 2 opponents. On Monday, August 26, Norris traveled to the southwest corner of Anderson County where they took on two Oak Ridge City Schools. The Lady Senators opened the night with a 25-8, 25-17 dusting of the Robertsville Rams. Leading the way for Norris was middle hitter Emily Mustard with 11 points and 5 aces. NMS right side hitter Catelyn (Courtney) Tackett chipped in 4 points and 3 aces.
Next up for the team from Norris was the defending Area 2 Champion Jefferson Middle School Lady Eagles. The players and fans for Jefferson were hyped up to play Norris but they ran into a serving buzz-saw in the form of NMS outside hitter Emma Neff. Just as she did the week before, Neff ripped off a serving run of 11 straight points vaulting the Lady Senators into a 13-1 lead. Jefferson was overwhelmed by the ball control and spiking power of Norris and never threatened the lead as Norris rolled to a 25-12 victory in set 1.
The second set was an entirely different story as the Lady Senators abandon their hitting game and settled for just keeping the ball in play. This played right into the Lady Eagles hands as set 2 went back and forth with 12 ties and 7 lead changes before Jefferson reeled off the last 4 points to win 25-21.
With the momentum firmly in Jefferson’s hands, the decisive 3rd set was a seesaw affair with 4 ties and 2 lead changes.
Things looked bleak for the team from Northeast Anderson County as Jefferson served with a 12-11 lead. Jefferson seemed to be in control, however, the Lady Senators shook off the tension and knotted the set at 12 with a kill from Kyra Damewood off a perfect set from Ebby Mayes. Norris’ Emily Mustard then served 3 straight points to close out the set and the match 15-12. Emma Neff led the Lady Senators with 19 points and 6 aces.
Middle hitter Kyra Damewood served 3 points and 2 aces in set 3 to keep the Lady Senators in the set.
On Tuesday, August 27 the Lady Senators played their first home match against a quality Horace Maynard team. Norris defeated the Lady Red Devils 25-20, 25-15 in two hard-fought and competitive sets. Jada Seiber scored 6 points and 3 aces. Catelyn Tackett added 4 points and 2 aces of her own in the victory.
Closing out a long week of play on Thursday, August 29, Norris took their undefeated record to Lafollette to take on the Lady Owls. The lop-sided match was never in doubt as Norris cruised to a 25-8, 25-15 victory. The NMS coaching staff cleared the bench in set number 2 playing 14 different players. Seeing some quality varsity action were 8th graders Makyla Lowe, Sonia Bean, Brianna Merryfield, Ryanna Comer, and Madison Phillips. Seventh grade players Zoey Rose and Ava Williams made significant contributions as well.
Norris headed to the long Labor Day weekend with a perfect 6-0 record. They are back in action Tuesday, September 3 at home versus Lafollette. Thursday, September 5 is a big night as county rivals Clinton Middle and Lake City Middle head to Norris. Varsity matches begin at 5:30.