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Lady Panthers sweat out 2-1 win over Bracken County, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23
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By CHUCK HAMILTON Sports Writer
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FLEMINGSBURG -- In a very well-played and hotly contested early season volleyball match, the host Fleming County Lady Panthers outlasted Bracken County, 2-1, by scores of 25-22, 23-25 and 25-23.
The season opener in the nearly sauna-like conditions of the Den was very well attended by an enthusiastic crowd and they were treated to some exciting action.
After the Lady Bears moved ahead 12-6 in the opening set, Fleming County coach Robert Orem called a timeout and the momentum shifted in favor of the home team. The Lady Panthers scored five consecutive points, the first on a Kaylyn Emmons kill, and the next four on aces from Amber Ruark.
"Amber's serves were great and gave us the swing in momentum, and in volleyball, momentum is key," said Orem. "Kaylyn did a wonderful job, she can play any position on the court well. I expected her to step up, and she did."
Fleming County regained the lead after being in front very early on a Sami Thacker kill to take a 14-13 lead. But the Lady Bears kept it close down the stretch, tying the score at 15-all before an error, a Danielle Harmon kill and a Thacker ace put the Lady Panthers up by three. Bracken County closed to within one on two occasions, but a pair of Emmons kills gave Fleming a three-point lead late in the set.
The second set saw the Lady Panthers move in front 14-8 after two Emmons aces, but Bracken fought back and went on a 6-0 run to take an 18-16 lead on a kill from Isabell Augenstein. The Lady Bears maintained their slim lead and held off a late charge for a 25-23 win, setting up the decisive game three.
The third set was close throughout and featured six lead changes. After a Makala McAtee kill tied the score at 22, Emmons stepped up again. The junior hit a well-placed kill and followed with an ace to give the Lady Panthers a 24-22 lead. The teams exchanged service errors to provide the final 25-23 score.
Bracken County coach Wade Smith was not pleased with his team's serving game.
"We missed way too many serves and that was our downfall tonight," said Smith. "Fleming's very scrappy, both teams hustled and played hard. Volleyball is a fun game to coach and a fun game to watch when two teams play like they did tonight."
The Lady Bears' frontline duo of Tiffany McDowell and Karlie Smith were spectacular at times, coming up with ten and eight kills during the match, respectively. Augenstein added six kills, all in the final two games.
Fleming County was led by Emmons (10 kills, six aces) and Harmon, who had nine kills and four aces.
Orem said it was "by far the best" his team has played this season.
"Danielle's play at the net was tremendous, Sami played well and it was a great team effort," said Orem. "We made some good adjustments on defense and Bracken has two very athletic and smart players with McDowell and Smith at the hitter spots."
Bracken County (0-2) will play Pendleton County today in its home opener, and Fleming County (3-3) hosts Bath County next Tuesday. |
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