The name of the game in the District 6-AA volleyball semfinals at Red Bank’s Susan Ingram Thurman Gymnasium Wednesday night was to simply win and advance.
It was do or die time as the two winners advanced to Thursday’s championship match and also to next week’s region while the two losers called it a season.
Top-seeded Signal Mountain and second-seed Soddy Daisy took care of business as expected as both won in three straight sets. Soddy Daisy took care of Sequatchie County by scores of 25-23, 25-19 and 25-11 while Signal Mountain had no problems defeating Grundy County, the Lady Eagles winning with ease by scores of 25-14, 25-11 and 25-9.
Soddy Daisy had beaten the Lady Indians in their regular-season match, but Sequatchie had continued to improve and they entered Wednesday’s match with confidence to win and advance.
The Lady Indians gave Soddy Daisy all they wanted and more in that first set, but the Lady Trojans settled down after that and played pretty good volleyball.
Sequatchie County coach Paige Pickett liked the way her girls started, but unforced errors were costly and a main reason the Lady Indians didn’t win.
“We came out hard and ready to play, but costly errors late in the first set really hurt us,” Pickett said following the match.
“Soddy Daisy has a really good team, but I feel like we beat ourselves. You can’t afford to make the mistakes we made against a good team and expect to survive. Soddy Daisy made us pay,” she added.
Soddy Daisy coach Paul Brock was a bit caught by surprise by how close the match was, especially the first set.
“We won,” he said while getting his stats in order.
“That was a good way for us to start the district tournament. That last set was the best we’ve played since our last match with Signal Mountain. I thought we served well and our front row had a lot of blocks.
“I’m hoping that was a good warmup for tomorrow, but Sequatchie was a lot better today than they were the last time we played,” the veteran coach nodded.
The Lady Trojans had a number of young ladies who played well, led by sophomore Leah Morgan with 14 kills and 19 digs. Aubrey Renfro also had a double-double with 24 assists and 10 digs.
Fehnly Sneed and Kylie Bunch had 20 and 18 digs, respectively, while Bunch also topped the list with seven aces. Farrah Hilliard had a dozen assists and seven digs.
Signal Mountain established a dominance immediately in its match with the Lady Jackets as the Lady Eagles cruised to the first win and only got stronger as the match progressed.
Grundy County coach Seann Lewis knew his team was in for a huge challenge before the first serve was made and he was right.
“I thought we played well for the most part as we played with a lot of heart. Signal Mountain is the defending state champion for a reason and they have some great hitters,” he said after his team finished the season at 9-15.
“We just ran into a team that can really swing it well. I had hoped that we would play a little better, but those things just happen from time to time,” he nodded.
Signal Mountain coach Jennifer Redman just wanted to make sure that her team took care of business and didn’t do anything stupid along the way. She got her wish on both counts as it was a regular work day for the Lady Eagles.
“That was good. We did what we needed to do and took care of business. We were more concerned on what happened on our side of the net. I feel like we played well and had a lot of fun along the way,” she said after her team had won for the 19th time in 32 matches.
“I just wish that we hadn’t missed so many serves, but I guess it was just excess nerves. Tomorrow will be a bit more stressful match, but I’m fully confident that my girls will show up ready to play,” Redman smiled.
Carlee Lowry had her usual outstanding match and finished with a dozen kills and 14 digs. She also tied Sydney Smith with five aces. Smith also had 14 digs.
Becca Rogers, the district MVP for the regular season, had nine kills, nine digs, three blocks and two aces while Elle Ramsey did her job as the Signal setter and finished with 29 assists.
Thursday’s championship match had originally been scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., but it has been moved up to 5.
Both Signal Mountain and Soddy Daisy advance to next week’s region tournament with Thursday’s winner serving as host.
SODDY DAISY STATS:
Maci Moss – 2 aces, 3 digs
Aubrey Renfro – 24 assists, 1 ace, 10 digs
Reese Finnell – 2 aces, 2 digs
Fehnly Sneed – 20 digs, 2 aces
Farrah Hilliard – 1 ace, 12 assists, 7 digs
Whetherly Barker – 6 kills, 2 blocks
Grace Nunley – 7 kills, 1 block, 3 digs
Kylie Bunch – 7 aces, 18 digs
Leah Morgan – 14 kills, 1 ace, 19 digs
Gracie Simpson – 7 kills, 2 blocks
Addison Ward – 5 kills, 3 blocks
Emma Blazek – 2 kills, 2 blocks.
SIGNAL MOUNTAIN STATS:
Emma Schleger – 5 digs
Carlee Lowry – 12 kills, 14 digs, 5 aces
Maddie Shelton – 6 kills
Sydney Smith – 4 kills, 14 digs, 5 aces
Becca Rogers – 9 kills, 9 digs, 3 blocks, 2 aces
Kate Gilbert – 1 kill
Elle Ramsey – 2 digs, 29 assists, 3 aces, 1 kill
Kate Lowe – 2 aces, 2 digs.
ALL-DISTRICT TEAM (regular season): Brantley Bruggink and Macey Reagan (Hixson); Julianna Witt and Stormi Nunley (Grundy Co); Brooklynn Ervin, Kenadi Baughman and Brooklyn Smith (Red Bank); Mia Smith, Emma Cranfill, Ainsley Pickett (Sequatchie Co.); Fehnly Sneed, Leah Morgan, Farrah Hilliard, Grace Nunley (Soddy Daisy); Carlee Lowry, Elle Ramsey, Emma Schleger, Sydney Smith and MVP Becca Rogers (Signal Mountain).
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)