By Michael Lindsay
The Red Boiling Springs Lady Bulldogs picked up a road victory in District 7A volleyball action Monday night as they won at Monterey, 3-1.
Monterey took the first set, 25-20, before RBS stormed back to win 3 straight: 25-15, 25-23 and 25-18.
“After the first game I thought we did okay,” said Lady Bulldog head coach Chad Butler. “We weren’t hitting as well as we normally do, and defensively we didn’t play as well. Monterey placed their shots well, and we’re not as used to that.”
RBS was relying on a mix of experience and youth in Monday’s victory.
“We were playing three freshmen (Tatum Cotman, Stephanie Windsor and Sidney Massengille) and I thought they did well,” Butler said. “In game three, we were down by 6 points twice with three freshmen on the floor. I’m very pleased that they were able to come back.
“Kennedy Marshall is my captain and she’s a good leader,” Butler said. “She passed well and was placing it well. My setter De’Awndria Polk is a junior and has really turned it on and I’m super proud of her. My libero (Chloe Powell) who last year was my most productive outside hitter, played a great game.”
The first set saw Monterey take a 14-9 lead before a 6-1 run by the Lady Bulldogs tied the game at 15. Red Boiling Springs briefly took a 17-16 led in the first set before the teams found themselves tied at 19.
Three consecutive aces by Monterey’s Ali Novak gave the Lady Wildcats a 22-19 lead en route to their 25-20 set-one victory.
Red Boiling Springs never trailed in the second set as RBS jumped out to a 10-3 lead out of the gate. They grew their advantage to double digits (17-7) before holding on to win the second set 25-15.
Monterey flipped the script early in the third set as the Lady Wildcats took a 14-8 lead on a Galy Hernandez kill.
RBS responded with a 9-3 run to tie the set at 17 before completing the comeback to win the pivotal third set 25-23.
With a 2-1 advantage in hand, Red Boiling Springs pulled away in the third set to win 25-18 and take the match three sets to one.
Red Boiling Springs is back in action at home Tuesday night as they host Jackson County at 5:30 p.m. Monterey is scheduled to play next on Thursday at York Institute at 5 p.m.
