Clinton captures second straight district title
Clinton High School’s volleyball team continued its two-year dominance in District 3-AAA, winning its second consecutive district tournament championship on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
The Lady Dragons also completed a second straight perfect run through their regular-season league schedule, setting a school record with 34 wins in 2024.
Clinton secured the district title with a pair of victories last week. In the championship match, the Lady Dragons swept in-county rival Oak Ridge, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21, at Powell High School’s Jeff Hunter Gymnasium.
In the final match, Clinton (34-10) showcased a balanced hitting attack. Parker McGhee had eight kills, five digs, and two blocks. Lanee Carmichael and Josie Moody each added six kills. Carmichael, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, also contributed eight digs, three blocks, two aces, and one assist. Moody chipped in with three blocks, nine digs, and 12 assists.
Ellie Murrell and Jailie Rodd each tallied five kills. Murrell also recorded six blocks and two digs, while Rodd finished with 16 assists and four digs.
Clinton head coach Lorri Johnson was pleased with her team’s overall performance in the tournament.
“Our attack and hitting are well spread out,” Johnson said. “We had three players on the all-tournament team, and we could’ve easily had more. They gave spots to the third- and fourth-place teams.
“We have some big weapons, and we’re going to have to use them. We’re one match, one win away from going farther than we’ve ever been. Hopefully, we can win the region tournament. But even if we win the first game and lose the second, we’ll travel and be happy to do that.”
Both Clinton and Oak Ridge advanced to the Region 2-AAA Tournament. The Lady Dragons faced Maryville in an elimination semifinal, while the Lady Wildcats took on District 4-AAA champion and tournament host Farragut at the Lynn E. Sexton Gymnasium.
The winners of the semifinal matches advanced to both the region championship and Thursday night’s state sectionals.
Despite Oak Ridge’s roller-coaster season, head coach Audrey Sherles remained optimistic heading into the Farragut match. The Lady Wildcats had lost to Clinton three times during the season and suffered a lopsided defeat to the Lady Admirals.
“I feel good about it, and it’s like I told the girls—our district is now competitive, and the idea that our district isn’t competitive has eroded away,” Sherles said. “Our match against Farragut was not a good representation of our team.”
Clinton eliminated the host Powell Lady Panthers in the district semifinals, while third-seeded Oak Ridge defeated second-seeded Knox Central to reach the championship match.
All-Tournament Team: Carmichael was named MVP, while Murrell and Moody also earned spots on the team. Oak Ridge’s Peyton Uptgraft and Christian McGinnis were selected for the all-tournament squad.