LEBANON – The Lady Pioneers earned a Southwest District sweep on Tuesday night, defeating Southern Gap in straight sets inside Charles C. Long Gymnasium. Set scores were 28-26, 25-17, 25-17.
Lebanon (15-7, 7-1 SWD) maintained their position a game behind Marion, which remains undefeated in SWD play, with this win.
“This is one we really tried hard to prepare for because we knew it was a big game,” said Lebanon coach Dennis Price. “Southern Gap has a good team. It was slow to get going for both teams, and we took off in the second set and took advantage. It could have gone either way for a while, but the girls stepped up, played well, and got the job done.”
The Pioneers held a 24-20 lead in the first set, but the Eagles stormed back.
A pivotal play came when the score was tied at 25. Lebanon’s Jaidyn Fields slammed a kill that went out of bounds. Officials ruled that a Southern Gap player had touched it, giving the point to the Pioneers.
“I think that was a game-changing call,” Southern Gap coach Hannah Lester said. “I think it changed the momentum of the game. Honestly, I think that was our point, and the rest of the game would have been different if the call had been different. Obviously, I’m going to stand up for my team. I do think it was a game-changing call for us.”
With Lebanon up 26-25, Leah Rasnake had a kill for the Eagles, tying it for the 11th time. Abigail Mullins and Fields had spikes to give the Pioneers the first set.
“We had a good lead there, and we blew it, letting them get back in,” noted Price. “We were fortunate to get that first set. As soon as we won it, the momentum carried into the second set. And when we got up in the third, it really helped us. Momentum is a big thing in volleyball, and we were lucky to have it.”
Southern Gap’s (6-9, 4-3 SWD) only lead was at 1-0 in the second set. Lebanon took the lead at 6-5 in the third set and never relinquished it.
“In the first set, we came back and fought and only lost by two,” declared Lester. “I think that loss kind of took us down a little bit, and we had trouble finding our way back after that.”
Abigail Mullins played her best match of the year for Lebanon, finishing with 10 kills and was also a factor at the line with three aces.
“The last time we played Southern Gap, our energy was really good, and I think we came out with the same energy tonight, and it worked for us,” said Mullins. “We all had really good energy, and my teammates were boosting me up. It made me feel better about how I was playing. Once you get on a roll, it’s hard to stop.”
Jaidyn Fields (10 kills), Kaytie Lampkin (eight kills) and Carlee Ingram (six kills) played well on the frontline. Ingram (18 assists) and Jaidyn Fields (13 assists) directed the offense. Kenlie Fields (20 digs) and Brooklyn Sutherland (15 digs) paced the defense in the win.
“We’ve got some young players stepping up and playing well,” Price stated. “Abby played well tonight—had some kills and played well at the net. We’re playing better defensively. Tonight, we were a step slow for some reason, I don’t know, but we played well when we needed to. I think we’re moving in the right direction for sure, but we’re sort of up and down.”
It couldn’t have been more balanced for the Eagles. Lucy Savage, Madison Lester, and Rasnake each pounded eight kills. Bela Hurley (12 assists) and Adyson Bell (10 assists) distributed the ball for Southern Gap. Claire Grifgey sparked the defense with 26 digs.
“We didn’t play to our full potential tonight, and anyone who knows them knows that wasn’t their best,” Lester said. “The first set was probably our best, and then we just lacked energy. We lacked a little hustle tonight, and I’m hoping we’ve got that out of the way and can move forward.”
The Eagles have played well in their first year after consolidation, competing in the SWD.
“I feel great about this team,” noted Lester. “I know what they’re capable of. Last week, we went four sets with Marion, who is probably the top team in the district, as anyone who has seen them play knows. We lost the first set by two, the second by two, won the third, and lost the fourth by about five or six, I think. So, I know what we’re capable of. We just have to find it and keep pushing.”
Lebanon wants to keep chasing Marion until a showdown on October 22nd.
“We’ve got to try to get more consistent,” Price commented. “Serve receive is a big thing for us. As long as we’re serving well and handling serve receive, we compete pretty well. The girls are moving in the right direction. I think they’re playing well. It’s a good time of year to be playing well. I know there are three more weeks to go, but I can’t say enough about them. They work hard every day, and it’s good to see that.”
