E.A. Sports Today

Oxford takes 2 from Wellborn

Lady Jackets open busy week with true DH sweep, White Plains earns first area win, Faith bounces back

By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today

OXFORD — The Oxford volleyball team got a busy week off to a good start Monday, sweeping Wellborn in a rare doubleheader in straight sets.

The Lady Jackets won the first match 25-10, 25-17 and the second 25-22, 25-14.

The date originally was scheduled as a JV-varsity twin bill, but the Panthers didn’t have a JV squad and the officials already were accommodated so, like Ernie Banks used to say, they played two.

Nyia Archie returned to the Jackets’ lineup after a week’s absence and had 15 kills, six digs and three blocks.

Breanna Nolan had 12 kills and 13 digs. Karagan Timmons had 17 digs. Chloe Stone had five digs and 38 assists.

“It was nice being able to have everyone back this week and get everyone in to play,” Jackets assistant Rachel Poe said. “We were able to run several different offenses against them so hopefully that will come in handy if we have to change anything up this week to better match our opponents.”

The Jackets (11-4) moved the match to Monday to avoid a potential conflict with the Calhoun County Tournament finals Oct. 5. It means they play every day but Wednesday this week.

The most important game of the run comes Tuesday in a road area match against Chelsea. The Jackets are 1-0 in their three-team area.

They’ll also play Alexandria and Southside Thursday and play in Hartselle’s tournament Friday and Saturday.

WHITE PLAINS 3, CLEBURNE COUNTY 0

HEFLIN — The Lady Wildcats bounced back from a tough night at Oxford their last time out and won their first area match of the season, 25-17, 25-22, 25-20.

AK Dothard and MC Young both scored seven kills. Raleigh Randall dealt 31 assists and Haley Helms had 22 digs.

The Lady Wildcats (3-4, 1-1) entertain Donoho and Ohatchee Tuesday in non-conference action, while keeping an eye on the early area showdown between Saks and Jacksonville. They play Jacksonville later in the week to complete the first run through the area.

“I’m just proud of the girls stepping up and getting the win tonight,” White Plains coach Joi Watts said. “Our goal each night is to get better and I think overall we did. This is a big week for us, so I was pleased with our effort tonight.”

The White Plains volleyball team breaks the huddle during a recent match.

The White Plains volleyball team breaks the huddle during a recent match.

FAITH CHRISTIAN 2, RANDOLPH COUNTY 0
FAITH CHRISTIAN 2, RANBURNE 0

RANBURNE — Lady Lions coach Bradley Dawson couldn’t have been happier with the way his team bounced back from a winless weekend in the Sandy Hunter Invitational.

They beat Randolph County 25-13, 25-12 and Ranburne 25-14, 25-21.

They got contributions across the board. Nicole Frechette had four kills, eight aces and eight digs. Madison Stephens had 11 kills, four aces, five blocks and five digs. Cornelia Simpson had eight kills, eight digs and four blocks.

Abby Kazanjian had six aces and eight digs. Zana Christjohn had five kills and four blocks. Abby Emerson had four aces, four digs and 33 assists.

“I thought we had a great response after a disappointing showing Saturday,” Dawson said. “I felt like we lost two games we should have won; we didn’t make plays against Sand Rock and Briarwood.

“When you played like we did Saturday and one ball doesn’t go your way, it feels like a dagger, but the way we played tonight a kill or ace didn’t affect us. We bounced back. We were all not happy with our results and bounced back with two good wins.”

The Lady Lions (8-6) open their area schedule Tuesday against Sacred Heart.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login