Athletics News
Lady Indians beat #6-ranked Prince Ave, take first place in region
TFS was able to avenge an earlier loss to #6-ranked Prince Avenue Christian, winning on Monday in straight sets to highlight the tri-match at Elbert County. Overall, the #5-ranked Lady Indians secured wins over Elbert and PAC.
In the process, the Lady Indians claimed the top spot in the region as the regular season winds down. TFS previously lost to Prince Avenue, and needed to beat them by nine total points to ensure the head-to-head tiebreaker should both teams finish the regular season with the same record.
The Lady Indians first beat Elbert County 25-7 and 25-11 in quick fashion.
"We served great and executed well on our attacks when they got the ball over," says coach Matt Heyl, whose team has now won four straight after Monday's results.
TFS then had the big showdown with Prince Avenue Christian, and took the opening set 25-11. Though PAC fought back in the second set, the Lady Indians stamped down the 25-23 win to claim the match, and win by a combined 16 points, well beyond the nine needed.
"The first set was the best we've played all year," adds Heyl. "We served them tough and they struggled a bit."
Heyl says the standouts in Monday's action included Addy McCoy, who had crucial blocks and kills to help put the match away. McCoy provided the fire needed when the team was down 16-19 in the second set. Heyl also noted Sarah Jennings' play, as she passed well and had some crafty attacks. Kitty Rodenas also served and set very well. McCoy and Rodenas are both north of 100 career aces, as the latter closes in on the school's single-season record. Jennings, who last weekend eclipsed 900 career kills, is the TFS all-time leader in kills, aces, and closing in on the digs mark.
TFS now moves to 22-10 overall, 7-1 in region play, and takes its #5 state ranking into a Tuesday tri-match at Rabun County against the Lady Wildcats and Commerce. The Lady Indians once again have a 4-match win streak, two shy of the school record of six, which has been accomplished six times, including once this season. The win over PAC was the team's third win over a state-ranked opponent this season, and 16th in the past four years.
MATCH SCORES:
TFS W 2-0 vs Elbert County: 25-7, 25-11
TFS W 2-0 vs #6 Prince Avenue Christian: 25-11, 25-23