Lady Dragons aren’t fading away
After taking OR to the limit, CHS continues winning ways
Lady Dragons junior hitter Riley Owens returns the ball just over the Lady Red Devils blockers during Clinton’s home game on Thursday night. The Lady Dragons won the matchup 3-0 (25-19, 25-12, 25-23) to improve to 12-4 on the season and 5-1 in district play. (photo:Tony Cox )
Clinton (12-4 overall, 4-1 in District 3-AAA) entered this week in a second-place tie in the district standings and was scheduled to travel to Knoxville to take on West High for a match.
The Lady Rebels and Lady Dragons were tied for the second spot and played Tuesday night, but results were not available at press time.
Against Halls Thursday, Darbi Brummett had eight kills. Riley Owens added seven kills and came up with nine digs. Freshman Lanee Carmichael finished with six kills and served up three aces.
Setter Josie Moody dished out 14 assists and contributed nine digs while McKenzie Crisp finished with six digs.
Clinton second-year head coach Lorri Johnson said she was pleased with her team’s effort against the Lady Devils.
“Halls is a young team like us and we went in there and we jumped on them but in third set, they played a little more aggressively,” Johnson said. “They’re young and I look for them to continue to improve.”
The Lady Dragons suffered their first district loss of the campaign as they dropped a three-set match at Oak Ridge, which remained undefeated in league play on Tuesday, Aug 30, at Wildcat Arena.
The Lady Wildcats swept the Lady Dragons 25-20, 25-21, 25-12.
Clinton started fast and opened a big lead in the first set. But the Lady Dragons fell behind early in the second game before rallying to take a 15-14 lead.
Oak Ridge cruised in the third set.
“We jumped on them and we played hard,” Johnson said. “We got behind in the second set and were able to come back and get a lead. I think we led 15-14. We fought hard.”
Owens had seven kills and six digs at Oak Ridge and Brummett added five kills. Crisp added 10 digs while Moody finished with 14 assists and six digs.
The Lady Dragons certainly impressed Lady Wildcats’ first-year head coach Audrey Sherles.
“I think we’re seeing a more competitive Clinton team than we have in the past,” Sherles said.
As for the Lady Dragons, Johnson said she was anticipating the match against West and the rest of the season.
“We’re tied for second and we have the match against West, so we’re in the mix and we have a lot of volleyball left.”