Anderson County serves up hot start
Anderson County libero Emerie Bullock gets low and extends to keep the ball off the floor with a dig during the Lady Mavericks’ season volleyball opener against Lakeway Christian. (photo:Tony Cox )
After opening the season with a sweep of Lakeway Christian Academy at home Monday, Aug. 16, Anderson County reeled off a pair of District 3-AAA victories over in-county rivals Oak Ridge and Clinton.
The Lady Mavericks spent Friday and Saturday in downtown Knoxville at the Knoxville Convention Center, where they picked up wins over Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts, Cleveland and Sullivan East.
Anderson County rallied to defeat Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts in three sets, 22-25, 25-21, 15-12, before edging Cleveland, 25-22, 26-24. The Lady Mavericks also swept Sullivan East.
Earlier in the week, Anderson County swept the Lady Wildcats in the district opener for both schools Tuesday, Aug. 18, before outlasting the Lady Dragons in four sets, 25-16, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22.
“We got off to a good start there,” ACHS Coach Jayme Smith said. “Then we dropped that third game. We just have to learn that you can’t keep playing.”
The hiccup in the Clinton match aside, Smith said she is pleased with her squad’s progress out of the starting gate.
“I feel like we’re in a good place,” she said. “I’m pleasantly surprised, and I don’t mind losing if it’s a good team and we’re playing well.
“Hendersonville is a big school and they have some good players. We play a tough schedule, and I would rather play teams like that.”