In the match last Tuesday in Viking Gym, the junior varsity squad got things off to a great start with a thrilling three-set victory. Avery won the first set 27-25, but dropped the middle set 20-25 to set up the rubber set of the match. In the final contest, Avery was dominating in securing a 25-12 set win and 2-1 match triumph.
In the varsity match, Avery welcomed head coach Kim Hayes back to the bench following the birth of her child. The Lady Cougars were less accommodating however, as they came out strong in winning the first game in the best-of-five match 15-25. The second game was much closer as the team had to play extra points to decide a winner. Avery battled hard but came up just short in a 25-27 defeat.
Avery rallied and refused to surrender to defeat, rebounding to capture the third game by a 25-20 score. The Big Red continued to play defiant volleyball, but Mountain Heritage held on for a 23-25 win and 3-1 match victory.
Megan Tennant recorded 10 kills in the match, with 5 kills and a pair of service aces from Megan Robbins. Melinda Eggers had 13 digs for the Big Red, with 17 assists from Cassie Bumgarner.
Avery’s junior varsity squad played a strong match in defeating Mitchell last Thursday evening. The Lady Vikings won the first set 25-17 and was just as decisive in winning the second and final set by a 25-16 final score.
“The junior varsity team has got a lot of talent this year, and each player has shown improvements since the beginning of the season,” JV head coach Caroline Turner said after the week’s action. “The win over Mountain Heritage Tuesday was due in part to a great setter performance by Megan Dellinger. She’s a great leader on the floor with great hustle and a strong work ethic. We also have very strong and consistent servers on the JV squad which contributed to both wins this week.”
In the varsity contest, the Lady Vikings took care of business early in the first set, winning by a 25-11 score. In set two, Mitchell put up its toughest fight of the evening, but Avery persevered as the Lady Vikings took the 2-0 set lead with a 25-20 win. In the third and eventual final set, Avery’s team game rose to the forefront, upending the Lady Mountaineers 25-17 for a 3-0 match sweep.
“We started off the first game very strong with great serving by Megan Robbins and very good hitting by Savannah Dellinger and Megan Tennant. This varsity team is really good about being able adjust their positions during a match according to their strengths,” Coach Turner said of the varsity win. “Against Mitchell, our offensive efforts were thought out very well and led to the victory. Our setter, Cassie Bumgarner gave our hitters very good sets and that contributed to many kills. Our serving as a team was excellent as well.”
Bumgarner had 17 assists in the win, with 6 digs and 6 kills from teammate Savannah Dellinger. Megan Robbins had 5 service aces and 7 kills, with 8 kills from Megan Tennant.
The Lady Vikings traveled earlier this week to Owen to continue conference play, and the team’s next home match will take place on Monday against Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy.
