No. 22 Lady Blues avoid late scare, defeat 2A No. 8 Windthorst 3-2
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(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/DAVID FLYNN) Lady Blues junior Peyton Dobbs played an increased role late in Friday’s match, filling in for Tatum Westerman who left with an injury during the fourth set. Lady Blues coach Marci Faulk credited Dobbs for helping create momentum late in the fourth set with three service aces to help the Lady Blues finish the evening with a win. -
(MIKE WILLIAMS | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Braylee Mayes (5) and Tatum Westerman attempt a block at the net during the first set of the Lady Blues' 3-2 victory over Windthorst Tuesday evening at Graham High School.
In a battle between ranked teams, the Lady Blues survived a comeback scare and injury to defeat Windthorst in five sets, 25-21, 25-15, 21-25, 17-25, 15-3 Friday evening at Graham High School. The win extends the Lady Blues’ winning streak to eight matches.
The Lady Blues entered the Sept. 16 match ranked No. 22 in 4A while the visiting Trojanettes were ranked No. 8 in 2A. It was the second time the two teams met this year following a 25-18, 24-26, 25-5 win Saturday, Aug. 20 at the Lu Allen Memorial Volleyball Tournament at Graham High School.
The Lady Blues took advantage of a series of miscues by the Trojanettes early in the opening set, but neither side could gain momentum through the first two-thirds set. The teams shared ties at 8-8, 9-9, 10-10, 11-11, 14-14 and 15-15. The Lady Blues outscored their visitors 4-1 after the teams were even at 15-15, prompting a timeout by the Trojanettes with the Lady Blues ahead 19-16. After giving up an error out of the timeout, Braylee Mayes scored kills on
back-to-back rallies to take a four-point lead at 21-17. Trinity Gregory scored the set-winning kill.
The second set was controlled by the Lady Blues from the start. Following a block kill by Lillian Noble, the Lady Blues scored three more points on a series of errors by the Trojanettes. A Lady Blues swing out of bounds ended the set-opening run at four points. A second kill in the set by Noble gave her side a 5-1 lead.
The Trojanettes were able to work their way back into contention, drawing even with the Lady Blues at 6-6, 7-7 and as late as 11-11. A kill by Mayes set in motion a 14-4 run to close out the set.
On the final four points, Olga Morales scored two block kills and one kill. Camden Thorne served her third of three second-set aces.
For the full story, see the Wednesday, Sept. 21 edition of The Graham Leader.
