(by Don Meador, September 25, 2019)
Seven matches in a three day period highlighted another busy week for the Lady Patriot volleyball team and included a win that locks Allen County-Scottsville into the top seed position for next month’s District 15 tournament at Patriot Gym.
Last week, AC-S defeated Monroe County 2-0 (25-16, 25-17). The win improved AC-S’s district record to 4-0 and, coupled with a Barren County win over Glasgow the same night, assured AC-S is seeded first. Currently, Monroe County is the second seed with Glasgow and Barren County tied for the third spot.
The Lady Patriot spent last Saturday in tournament play at Watertown High School near Lebanon Tennessee. AC-S downed Gordonsville 2-0 twice on the day and also got by McEwen 2-0. AC-S dropped to matches to Sale Creek 2-0 and Creek Wood 2-0.
AC-S had little trouble in the win at Monroe County. With Averie Pitchford and Olivia Brown combining for 17 digs and Meg Foster’s 15 assists setting the stage, the Lady Patriots were able to maintain control in both sets. Maddie Stallings led the way with five kills, C.J. Towe added four kills, and Chloe Cook registered three kills alongside her five digs.
“The Monroe County win felt great,” noted coach Shelby Keagan. “The girls played a good, clean game and focused well. I was proud of their energy, and we ran our offense really well. Breann Varner had some big swings. “
The Watertown tournament featured a solid mix of teams. In the team’s wins over Gordonsville, Foster continued to be the cog that helps her team flow. Foster had 17 and 20 assists in the matches with the Lady Tigers. Her solid play led to 12 kills by Cook and 11 kills by Towe and in the combined matches. Varner and Stallings contributed along the front line with the backcourt tandem of Pitchford and Brown showing outstanding hustle. The team’s play enabled ACS to win sets 25-13, 25-19 in the one match and 25-21, 25-22, in the second.
In AC-S win over McEwen (25-14, 25-13), Foster recorded 12 assists, three digs, and three aces. Cook and Varner had five kills with Cook also contributing five digs and three aces. Brown and Pitchford combined for 15 digs to start volleys for their team.
Sale Creek used their athletes to down AC-S 25-13, 25-19 in one match and 25-23, 25-12 in the second. Creek Wood defeated AC-S 25-11 and 25-18 in their match.
“Watertown was another great tournament experience,” Keagen added. “We saw some good competition. Tournaments are particularly difficult as they are long and emotionally and physically draining. When we hit some rough spots but the girls came together as a team to get out of the slumps. We finished the day playing hard.”
Keegan likes where her team stands heading into the final three weeks of the regular season.
“I think we are in a great spot,” Keagan said. “With our last tournament behind us and the schedule slowing down a bit, we have great opportunity for practice. We hope to have a perfect record for the rest of the season so we'll pick up some good steam to roll through district.”
AC-S closed out a long week on Tuesday with a 2-0 (25-15, 25-20) win at Barren County.
AC-S (14-11, 5-0) will have this weekend off before facing Metcalfe County (10-11) at Edmonton on Monday. AC-S will also play Edmonson County (5-14) on October 3 at Patriot Gym prior to taking fall break off.