Lady Mavs volleyball takes huge win at Farragut
After splitting its first two matches of the 2023 season, the Anderson County High School volleyball team notched a key road win at Farragut Thursday night.
The Lady Mavericks (3-3) got a solid all-around team effort as they dispatched the host Lady Admirals in four sets, 25-23, 25-23, 17-25, 25-18, at the Lynn E. Sexton Gymnasium.
Longtime ACHS Coach Jayme Smith said she was pleased with her team’s effort with the exception of the third set, where the Lady Mavericks trailed by as many as nine points, falling behind 22-13 at one juncture.
“We played pretty well, with the exception of that third game, when we really let things get away from us,” Smith said. “We had people making contributions from all over the floor, and that’s the thing about this team, not everybody has to be having their best night.
“That’s better than having just that one great player that everything falls on.
In Game 1, the Lady Admirals, under new head Coach Andre Alves, opened an early 14-8 lead before Anderson County scored five of the next six points to pull to within 15-13.
Farragut, however, would regain the upper hand and pull ahead 18-14, 20-18 and 22-20 before the Lady Mavericks put up five of the final six points to close out the set.
Anderson County never trailed in the second set as the Lady Mavericks opened the game by scoring on a side-out before senior setter Jaylynn Bullock served up the next six points (including two aces) to help ACHS open a 6-0 lead.
The Lady Admirals would claw their way back into contention but never took the lead.
In the third set, the Lady Mavericks had an early 3-1 advantage before Farragut got a huge service run from Loryn Neeley and took a 6-3 lead.
From there, Farragut took control and pulled to within 2-1.
In the fourth and decisive game, the Lady Admirals opened a slim 11-9 lead before the Lady Mavericks came storming back. A service ace by Gracie Hayes gave Anderson County a 20-15 lead before the Lady Mavericks won the match by tallying five of the last eight points.
Over the weekend, the Lady Mavericks were in the Showdown at the Sunsphere. They lost to Bryan Station (Kentucky) and David Crockett before closing out tournament play with a 25-8, 25-6 victory over South-Doyle.
Against the Lady Cherokees, Kennley Reed led the ACHS hitting attack with six kills and three blocks. Bullock finished with 11 assists, nine aces and five digs.