In typical fashion, Elizabethton’s match up with Sullivan East took five games to decide Tuesday inside John Treadway Gym.
After the two squads fought to a 2-2 tie, the Lady Cyclones rallied for 10-straight points in the final game to take a 15-6 win and a 3-2 victory overall.
The game-winning rally saw Elizabethton junior Sydney Goodsell connect on 9-consecutive serves to keep EHS rolling.
“For the past week, I have been harping on serving because it has been killing us,” said Elizabethton head coach Leslee Bradley. “Earlier in this match, it killed us. For Sydney to go back there and put nine straight balls in was big. Everybody did their jobs, but it all starts with that server.”
The Lady Cyclones won game one, 25-17. However, the Lady Patriots answered with a 25-17 win in game two to make things 1-1.
The Lady Patriots, after a six-point run to battle back from a 9-6 deficit, took game three 25-20.
Game four was a rollercoaster. The Lady Cyclones took a 10-2 lead after 6-point rally that saw two big kills from EHS senior Emilee Nanney. The Lady Patriot slowly chipped away at EHS’s lead before tightening things at, 22-21, Elizabethton. The Lady Cyclones would be able to hold on for a 25-23 win, forcing the contest to five games, 2-2.
Goodsell (15 kills), Elizabethton’s Morgan Smith (10 kills), and Nanney (9 kills) led things offensively, while teammates Cassidee Ray (6 kills), Hannah Boster (4 kills) and Macey Burleson (3 kills) all got in on the attack.
Boster was a force at the net as she racked up five blocks. Ray also played strong at the net with four blocks. Burleson finished with two blocks while Nanney had one.
Elizabethton libero Mary Beth Biggs guarded the back line with 44 digs on the night. Goodsell finished with 33.
Smith finished the night with 25 assists and four aces. Elizabethton’s Josie Lyons, Deanna Hall, and Goodsell also had one ace apiece.
Tuesday’s win helps keep Elizabethton in the running for second or third in the conference. The Lady Cyclones are now 6-4 in league play.
Elizabethton will be back in action as they travel to Johnson County on Thursday.

To purchase photos from Tuesday’s game, visit here.