Lady Dragons win Summer Splashdown
Clinton’s McKenzie Crisp and Josie Moody were recog- nized by Coach Lorri Johnson before Tuesday night’s game against Powell. Crisp recorded her 1,000th dig in the 2023 district tournament, and Moody recorded her 1000th assist in August. (photo:Ellie Hatmaker )
The Lady Dragons swept Rhea County 2-0 to claim the tournament title.
They also faced the Lady Eagles in pool play and prevailed 2-1.
The preliminary match against Rhea County was the only time Clinton lost a set on Saturday.
“Rhea County was a good team; they were really competitive,” Lady Dragons Coach Lorri Johnson said.
“We didn’t play Cumberland County, because I put them in the other pool,” she said.
“I thought we might see them in the semifinals or the finals. We’ll play them in a home-and-home. That’s why I put them in the other pool.”
Clinton also posted tournament wins over Austin-East (25-14, 25-5), Eagleton (25-7, 25-4), the Knoxville Ambassadors Trailblazers (2-0), and the Knoxville Ambassadors (2-0).
“It was a good tournament,” Johnson said. “The Trailblazers are good, and Austin-East is getting better.
“We had Austin-East and Fulton in the tournament, and both of them are getting better. They came and spent their holiday Saturday with us, and we appreciate it.”
On Thursday, Clinton (17-2 overall, 4-0 in District 3-AAA) kept its perfect league record intact with a 25-15, 25-16, 25-13 win over Powell.
Josie Moody had a big night against the Lady Panthers, totaling eight kills, four blocks, seven assists, and three aces. Parker McGhee contributed seven kills. Keagen Scaggs served up six aces. Ellie Murrell recorded four blocks, and McKenzie Crisp had 12 digs.
On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the Lady Dragons outlasted Knox Central in four sets at home on Pink Out Night at Lockard Gymnasium.
Clinton defeated the Lady Bobcats 25-14, 21-25, 25-12, 25-17.
The Pink Out Night honors those who are battling cancer and pays tribute to those who have lost their battle with the disease.
“We have people associated with our program, and Central has people associated with their program who have been impacted by cancer, and it’s tough.
“But they’re fighting,” Johnson said. “This is an important night.”
The Lady Dragons boasted a balanced attack against the visitors from Fountain City.
Moody led CHS with 16 kills. She also totaled 19 assists, 13 digs, two aces, and two blocks. Lanee Carmichael had nine kills, three blocks, and 12 digs.
Ellie Murrell had eight kills. Parker McGhee added six kills, eight digs, four aces, and one block.
Jailie Rodd posted five kills, 15 digs, and one block.
Keagan Scaggs had 20 assists and seven digs, while McKenzie Crisp totaled 13 digs.
Clinton began this week with a match at Oak Ridge, but results were not available at press time.
The Lady Dragons host Knoxville Halls on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Both the Lady Wildcats and Lady Devils entered the week tied for second place in the district standings behind Clinton.