Jr. Lady Cyclones drop a thriller in the season opener
Published 10:02 pm Wednesday, August 18, 2021
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Elizabethton's Mallory Odom sends one over on a nice serve against Vance.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Lady Cyclone's Kinsley Brittain gets a nice save off the net Tuesday afternoon at home.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Maddie Moore sets up a play for the Lady Cyclones.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Elizabethton's Morgan Lewis returns a ball with perfect form agains Vance Tuesday at home.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Sydney Minton digs up a hard hit ball by Vance for T.A. Dugger Tuesday afternoon.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Jasy Shell makes a sacrifice to return a ball for the Lady Cyclones.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Abby Gwinn was everywhere for the Lady Cyclones against Vance Tuesday evening at home.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Lady Cyclone Lillie Vest has her sights set on where she's going to deliver a return ball.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Piper Kate Bennett is in the right place at the right time for T.A. Dugger.
Star Photo / Brandon Hyde Zyleigh Bates makes a fantastic dig for the Lady Cyclones Tuesday against Vance.
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By Austin Alexander
STAR CORRESPONDENT
With all sports getting back in swing, things are no different for TA Dugger, who started their volleyball season on Tuesday night with a thrilling affair against Vance.
The season’s first game is always exciting as the unpredictability of what’s to come is at the forefront. The ladies from both sides poured everything they had into one of the best middle school volleyball games in recent memory.
Despite the Jr. Cyclones’ best effort, they would end up falling, 2-0.
The first set started with the Cyclones still asleep from the off-season as their early struggles were apparent. A 13-3 scoreline would keep a distance of 10 points between the two teams up until 17-7.
An incredible rally from the two teams showed they’re both very talented and ready to contend with TA Dugger picking up the point.
Zyleigh Bates and Ainsley Wampler both had tremendous diving saves during the set with Bates anchoring the Cyclones to a comeback.
Bates would serve five straight points including a terrific ace, but it was just a little too late as Vance would end up taking the set, 25-21.
The second set was a polar opposite of the first with the Cyclones jumping out to an early lead behind some great play from Piper Kate Bennett and Lillie Vest among others and halfway through the set, the Cyclones led comfortably, 16-10.
Then the comeback began for Vance.
A wonderful set of stops from the Cyclones attempted to stop the jumpstart foes, but a fast swarm of points saw Vance reclaim the lead at 18-17 despite a wonderful diving effort from Vest.
The Vance led would grow, but the Lady Cyclones continued to keep the distance between them close. Ultimately, it was too much for TA Dugger to overcome and Vance would take both the set and the match.
A tantalizing match from start to finish, the Lady Cyclones look like they’re ready to compete this season despite the loss.
Bates was absolutely exceptional and the rest of the ladies put in quite a display themselves proving they can compete at a high level in all facets of the game.
