(by Don Meador, Allen County Schools, October 15, 2019)
The Allen County-Scottsville Lady Patriot
volleyball team shook off the rust---the effects of an 11-day layoff due to
fall break---to defeat the Glasgow Scotties 2-0 (25-15, 25-15) in Senior Night
action Monday at Patriot Gym.
Strong play at the net by C.J. Towe, Bre
Varner, Chloe Cook, and Maddie Stallings delivered timely kills that enabled
the Lady Patriots to pull away in both sets in the match. However, lapses in
communication and a determined Glasgow squad kept the matches close early on.
After Olivia Brown staked the Lady Patriots
to a 5-0 lead with a series of service winners in the first set, Glasgow
rallied to pull even at seven. AC-S pushed their lead to three, 14-11, before
the Lady Scotties gain climbed to within a point at 14-13. However, steady play
on the back line and at the net enabled AC-S to close the first set on an 11-2
run to grab the set win.
In the second set, Glasgow sprinted to a 4-1
lead. A Towe throw down pulled AC-S even at four, followed by the team slowly
pulling away. An ace by Averie Pitchford, a kill by Cook, a Towe kill, and a
winner from Varner enabled the hosts to build and maintain a four to five point
lead for much of the next 20 points. AC-S closed the match on an 8-3 run to
post the win.
The night was special for the six AC-S
seniors---Olivia Brown, Jaden Carter, Meg Foster, Averie Pitchford, C.J. Towe,
and Bre Varner. Prior to the game, the seniors and their parents were recognized
for their years of commitment to the AC-S volleyball program.
The senior class has been part of
back-to-back District 15 championships. Furthermore, the squad has helped the program
to grow and make strides. During their freshmen year, AC-S volleyball was
14-12. A little later, the team posted a 16-7 record and followed last season
with a 19-8 campaign. This year, the team is on pace to reach the 20-win mark
for the first time since going 20-12 in 2013. Overall, their 66 wins in the
past four years is the most wins for a senior class in program history.
Each member has contributed to the team’s success in the past and this season. Foster, a mainstay in the setter position for years, leads the team in assists (383) and aces (49). Towe (92) and Varner (80) have combined for 172 kills. Brown is the defensive specialist and has 223 digs to date. Pitchford is a backrow specialists with 145 digs and 25 service aces. Carter is a steady leader that has seen actions in a variety of spots to help the Lady Patriots throughout the year.
The seniors will lead the team into next week’s District 15 tournament at AC-S. Monday at 6, AC-S faces Barren County (14-15, 1-5) in the best three-out-of-five match. Glasgow (9-16, 2-4) and Monroe County (8-13, 3-3) will meet in the nightcap. The championship will be at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Both the winner and runner-up will advance to Region 4 play the following week at Glasgow.