Lady Tigers fend off Andalusia
Published 12:05 am Wednesday, September 7, 2016
The Straughn Lady Tigers fought back to knock off the Andalusia Lady Bulldogs 3-1 Tuesday night in varsity volleyball action in Andalusia.
“I was really proud of the way the girls fought,” Straughn head coach Daniel Rodgers said. “Our girls never quit and they figured out a way to win. We really appreciate the fans for both teams coming out tonight. It makes for a fun atmosphere and our girls feed off that.”
The night started in favor of Andalusia who took the opening match 27-25.
It was back-and-forth match from the very beginning, with neither team pulling away.
Straughn went up 17-15 after a kill from Hannah Lawless and an ace from Ashley Hughes to give the Lady Tigers their biggest lead of the first game.
Andalusia bounced back and tied the game 18-18 with kill from Tori English and took the lead with a kill from Haley Harper.
Harper then added an ace to put the Lady Bulldogs on top 21-18.
The Lady Tigers tied the match 22-22 with an ace from Lawless.
Haley Ballard then made a big block to put Andalusia up 23-22.
The game went back-and-forth before the Lady Bulldogs picked up two consecutive points to win the opening match 27-25.
In the second match of the evening, the Lady Tigers got off to a fast start and went on to defeat the Lady Bulldogs 25-16.
Lawless got things going for the Lady Tigers, and had Straughn out front 7-2 at the beginning of game two.
The Lady Bulldogs battled back and tied the contest 8-8, but a couple of aces from Lawless had Straughn out front 14-8.
Lawless and Hughes continued to surge the Lady Tigers forward to a late 20-15 advantage.
Lawless capped off the contest with back-to-back kills to give the Lady Tigers a 25-16 win.
Straughn kept the pressure on in the third match of the evening as they came away with a 25-18 victory.
Another fast start to a match had the Lady Tigers out front 9-2.
Lawless and Hughes remained steadfast at the net with kills and blocks to help lead the Lady Tigers.
Lawless capped the game with a kill to give Straughn a 25-18 win and 2-1 advantage on the night.
The Lady Bulldogs continued to fight in the fourth game of the evening, but Straughn capped the series with a 25-23 victory.
It was another back-and-forth contest before the Lady Tigers were able to edge out the win.
Lawless connected with back-to-back kill to put Straughn on top 24-22.
Andalusia got one more point, but an infraction on the Lady Bulldogs gave Straughn the final point of the night.
“We knew coming into the game that they were going to be a good team,” Andalusia head coach Angie Grimes said. “We missed some blocks and left some points out there. We will get back out there, regroup and get ready for area play.”
Andalusia’s junior high team defeated Straughn Middle School 2-0, and the junior varsity Lady Bulldogs topped the Lady Tigers 2-1 to start the evening.”