Opp’s athleticism lifted the Lady Bobcats to a 3-0 area victory over Straughn on Tuesday night.

The Lady Bobcats utilized their talents on the court, going on several runs throughout the match to win 25-12, 25-12, 25-11.

With this victory, OHS (5-5, 3-0 in Class 3A, Area 2) will host the area tournament, which begins Oct. 18.

“I was proud of their aggressiveness and hustle,” Lady Bobcats coach Christie Spurlin said.

At 5-3 and on serve in the first game, OHS went on an 8-0 run to lead 12-3 before SHS went back on serve.

After giving up a break on serve, OHS got back five service opportunities in the latter half of the first game to take it by 13 points.

It was a tight affair at the start of the second game, as both teams shared break points, back and forth.

Leading 10-6 and back on serve, the Lady Bobcats went on a 5-0 run to force an SHS time out.

As the second game wound down, the Lady Tigers hung with it, despite another late OHS run.

The second game’s final point came after the scoring table had two different scores in the home and away teams’ books.

Opp won the final point of the second because Straughn was called for being out of rotation.

The Lady Bobcats strutted out to a 5-0 lead in the final game of the match and never looked back, taking a 12-2 lead at the mid-point.

The highlight of the game came on a kill by Straughn’s Jacie Williamson.

Opp closed the match out with a short 3-0 run at the end.

“They’re extremely athletic,” SHS coach Marc Tracy said. “It just seems like they’re almost playing more players on the court than six. I know they’re not. They’re just quick.

“We work hard, the girls do everything I ask them to do,” he said. “I’ve said it a million times. I’ve got a good group of players.”

Opp’s Octavia Thompson had five kills; Laiken Free had four kills; Olivia Bradley, who guarded the back line like it was her own, had two aces; and Nisha Stoudemire had four blocks.

Straughn’s Emily Hammett had three digs, seven assists, six service points and four aces.

SHS visits Pike County and Opp hosts Zion Chapel tomorrow.