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(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Rylee Moore hits a ball for a kill attempt Tuesday, Aug. 12. Moore has been a consistent front row hitter for the Lady Blues so far this season. -
(ALEX HAVARDANSKY | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Kathryn Hughes goes up for a kill Tuesday, Aug. 12, against Burkburnett. The Lady Blues then went on to compete in the Llano tournament Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15-16.
It was a big weekend for the Lady Blues varsity volleyball team in Llano.
The team participated in their first tournament of the regular season and ultimately came out with championship gold.
Ultimately, the team came out of the tournament undefeated. They won all seven of their matches including the championship. This undoubtedly is a statement performance early in the season as the team has high expectations.
Two players who really stood out at the tournament were junior Katy McGehee and sophomore Kya Cooper. Both of these players were named to the all tournament team for their efforts.
For Lady Blues head coach Marci Faulk, it's always a privilege to see players who have come up in Graham’s system be represented on a high stage.
“You’re definitely proud of them and excited for them,” Faulk said. “It’s always rewarding to see your athletes honored for their efforts.”
McGehee and Cooper both found themselves in the top three of the leaderboard for kills. Cooper was tied for the top spot alongside senior Madison Cauble with 28 kills each.
McGehee came in third with 22 kills and right under her was sophomore Emily Hughes with 21 on the weekend.
Defensively, senior Kaden Atwood didn’t skip a beat from her opening match. In the Lady Blues season opener against Burkburnett, Atwood held down the back row with 32 digs and only added to that with her tournament performance.
Atwood more than doubled that total at the Llano tournament with 69 digs, while senior Tara Dawson and McGehee tied for the second spot on the dig chart with 47 digs each.
At the service line there were also some real standout performances. Sophomore Hadleigh Allen led the way with aces on the weekend with 20. Allen also made a strong impression in the passing game with 60 assists.
McGehee also made her mark on the stat sheet with aces recording 19 on the weekend.
After playing the Jim Ned Lady Indians in their home opener Tuesday, Aug. 19, the team will play one of their biggest tournaments of the year Friday and Saturday, Aug. 22-23, in Graham with the annual Lu Allen tournament.
