Sports
Lady Spartans Defuse Lady Golden Rockets for Sectional Title
By: Alyssa Donahey
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The Alexander Spartans came into this game with great spirit and focus. The Wellston Lady Golden Rockets also arrived with determination but it simply did not match up against the Lady Spartans. Alexander’s offense was fierce but their plays were full of unnecessary errors. Wellston’s defense gave it their all but came out short in their offense, relying on the Lady Spartans to make mistakes.
The first set began with energy on Alexander’s side. Hitter Karsyn Raines wasted no time as Alexander gained the early lead 7-5, giving those 5 points to Wellston out of error. At 10-5, Wellston took a timeout. Errors continued sending Alexander in the lead 14-6.
Eventually, Wellston scores their first kill by Captain Hannah Stewart, making it 18-8. A few kills are gained nearing the end of the first set at 20-11. Alexander wins the first set 25-13, with all of Wellston’s points being gained from the Lady Spartan’s errors.
The second set was similar to the first. Raines started off strong with a kill for the Alexander Lady Spartans but lost the lead 2-1 as Wellston grew more aware of Raines. Wellston nearly took the lead but Alexander kept it 12-11. Wellston was rarely seen on attack, scrambling to get a foothold. Lady Spartan Raines took several kills to give Alexander a comfortable lead 19-13.
The second set ended 25-15, the point going to the Lady Spartans.
The third set began with two aces from Hawk on the Lady Spartans. Before Alexander could get an aggressive lead, the Wellston Lady Golden Rockets put up a fight early, 5-4. However, The Lady Spartans pulled away with the lead 17-8, sporting several kills from Hawk and an ace from Jadyn Mace. The Lady Spartans gained traction as they finished off the last set with a strong offense, the final score at 25-16.
Alexander’s head coach Nikki Ohms commented on her team’s victory and the challenges that lie ahead for the Lady Spartans: We did a couple of little things not well. Blocking wasn’t there, we weren’t setting our blocks, we weren’t close to the blocks…. We’re going to be looking to work on our blocking and to work more on our defense but then I think our offense is pretty solid right now…so now it’s defense.
The two top scoring players for the Alexander Lady Spartans were Karsyn Raines, who scored 9 kills throughout the night, and Mackenzie Hawk who scored 6 kills. The Wellston Lady Golden Rocket’s top defenders were Mullins with 11 digs and Brandau with 5.
Alexander Lady Spartans will be advancing to the Sectional Championship. Alexander will take on the winner of the Ironton-Minford on October 26 at Waverly High School at 7 pm.