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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Madison Cauble and Emily Hughes team up for a block attempt Tuesday, Aug. 19 in their match against the Lady Indians. Unfortunately for Graham, the Lady Blues lost their home opener in three sets. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Kya Cooper returns a ball behind his back Tuesday, Aug. 19. Cooper was pivotal in the passing game against the Lady Indians with 14 assists. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Tara Dawson tips a ball over the defense Tuesday, Aug. 19, against the Lady Indians. Dawson is one of seven senior leaders on the team.
It was a big night for the Lady Blues varsity volleyball team as they took on the Jim Ned Lady Indians in their home opener.
Unfortunately for Graham, the team dropped the match in three hard fought sets.
This was a point that head coach Marci Faulk took away as a positive after the game.
“I thought we fought hard,” Faulk said. “I don’t feel like we ever gave up on balls and things like that. I thought they stayed in a lot of scramble plays that would have been easy to quit on but they didn't. I can appreciate the effort.”
After the freshman and junior varsity teams played their matches, it was time for the main event of the evening. The crowd was full of energy, music was playing through the main gym at Graham High School and each player got special introductions. Faulk also said she was impressed with the crowd reaction on the night.
“I was impressed. You never know, especially when everyone is still getting adjusted to school. It was already a late night. To have that support, especially going into the Lu Allen (tournament) you hope they come back and cheer these ladies on the rest of the season.”
In set one, Katy McGehee got things off on the right track with a kill on the left side of the net to make it 1-0.
Kya Cooper and Rylee Moore were also active early in the front row, picking up points at the center and right side of the net while also teaming up for a block to make it 8-6 Graham.
Tara Dawson continued to be aggressive on the corners picking up a kill to make it 11-9 along with a soft tip of the ball to make it 20-17.
In set two, players like Madison Cauble, got in on the action collecting points as well as Hadleigh Allen with a soft tip.
Defensive specialist Kaden Atwood kept everything solid again defensively with 17 digs and also returned a ball for a point to make it 22-18 late in set two.
Other players like Emily Hughes also stepped up with aggressive swings in the third set as well as throughout the contest.
However, the fatal flaw for the Lady Blues in this contest was not being able to hold on to leads. The team reached 20 first in all three sets but ultimately couldn’t finish the deal against the Lady Indians as they lost. 26-24, 28-26 and 25-22.
Faulk said the key to getting over that hump and finishing tight matches is developing toughness in adversity to pick up those gritty wins.
After hosting the Lu Allen tournament Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23, the Lady Blues take on Boyd on the road Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 5:30 p.m.
