The Avery Lady Vikings found themselves on the court during three days last week. On Monday, September 21st, Avery traveled to Avery played Monday’s match without the leadership of head coach Kim Hayes, who was not able to attend due to sickness.
“(Assistants) Caroline (Turner) and Libby (Wit) said the girls played hard. We had the lead several times and just couldn't finish,” head coach Kim Hayes remarked regarding the match. “We were hitting the ball hard, but we had some defensive let downs. They felt like we could have beaten them.”
After a day’s practice, Avery returned to the floor at Viking Gym on Wednesday, September 23rd to host McDowell in a non-conference tilt. The Lady Vikings played a tight first set and prevailed by a 26-24 score. Avery carried momentum into the second set, but McDowell regrouped quickly to seize control, capturing the last three sets by scores of 19-25, 14-25, and 12-25, respectively. The junior varsity was unable to overcome the JV Lady Titans, falling in two games.
Cassie Bumgarner had 23 assists against McDowell, with 12 digs and six kills from Johanna Pittman. Jennie Elrod added nine digs, Savannah Dellinger had 8 digs and 8 kills, with six kills from Megan Tennant.
“McDowell played an incredible defensive game, probably the best I have seen all year. They made some unbelievable saves on the ball, and that just makes a team play harder and harder,” Coach Hayes said. “It was very frustrating watching balls hit the floor on our side over and over. Savannah Dellinger and Megan Tennant were hitting the ball great, and
On Thursday evening, Avery played like they were on a mission for victory and would not be denied as it hosted the Mitchell Lady Mountaineers. The junior varsity club set the pace in picking up a conference win in two games over the Mitchell JV club.
As the varsity match was set to begin, Coach Hayes had a specific message for her club.
“I told the girls before the match that I was sorry about the McDowell game, that I did not give 100 percent coaching, but tonight I am,” the coach said. “I challenged the team to go out there, fight and do not quit no matter what, give 100 percent and meet me half way and WE WILL
Avery grabbed early momentum in the varsity match, taking the first set by a final score of 25-17. The teams stayed close throughout each of the remaining two sets, but Avery put together a mini-scoring run to build a workable lead which helped the team take the second set 25-19. The Lady Vikings gained control of the third set only to see Mitchell rally to draw within four points. Avery slammed the door with a pair of points at the end to secure the third set 25-19 and a sweep for the match.
Bumgarner posted 23 assists in the match, while Pittman tallied seven kills and four digs. Elrod added five digs and three service aces, in addition to five kills and three service aces from Dellinger, six kills and two blocks from Tennant and five kills with six digs from Megan Robbins.
“Both the junior varsity and varsity teams played great. They were consistent throughout the game. I was very proud and so happy for them. They deserved it,” Coach Hayes said after the win. “I was pretty hard on them during the McDowell game. They stayed strong throughout each set. Even if Mitchell got a few points they stopped them quickly.”
Avery Lady Vikings Volleyball will play three times this week: at home against Owen on September 29, hosting West Wilkes September 30th, and at
