By Michael Lindsay
The Upperman Lady Bees shook up the District 7AA volleyball world Thursday evening as they picked up a crucial road victory at current #1 seed Stone Memorial, 3-1.
“We’re very excited,” said Upperman head coach Barbie Cook. “We took some time yesterday to have a mental break; sometimes you have to know what to focus on for your next game.”
Upperman took Stone Memorial to 5 sets earlier in the season, but it was the Lady Panthers who ultimately prevailed in their first matchup.
Thursday’s UCR volleyball game of the week matchup saw Upperman win the first set 25-16, Stone take the second 25-18 then Upperman win the final two 25-14 and 25-13.
“They needed to see that as a team,” Cook said. “I always tell them we have so much talent, but we have to push through. Tonight, with what we focused on, we were able to push through.”
Upperman senior Lila Cade led the Lady Bees with an impressive 26 kills and five aces. Meiah Moss had 10 kills for Baxter while Amy Gunderson led Stone Memorial with 8.
“My sophomore, Bailey West, stepped up in the middle and is growing as the season goes,” Cook said. “Lila Cade is always a big hitter. It’s not an individual effort; it’s the whole team.”
Upperman took a 13-8 lead midway through the first set and grew that lead to nine points (17-8) before winning the opener 25-16.
Stone Memorial responded in the second set with a commanding 8-1 lead via a point by Adyson Bennett. Upperman rallied to cut the Stone lead to 19-16 late, but the Panthers ultimately pulled away to win the second set 25-18.
The Lady Bees flipped the script in the third set as they jumped out to a 12-5 lead at the midpoint. Upperman kept their foot on the gas as they closed the third set strong to win 25-14.
Baxter’s strong third set was replicated in the fourth as they never trailed en route to a 25-13 victory in the fourth set to win the match.
Thursday’s game shakes up the potential outcomes in District 7AA play as now Thursday’s Stone Memorial at Livingston Academy is for first place in the district standings.
Upperman is scheduled to take the floor again next Thursday as they host district foe Cumberland County while Stone Memorial is set to host White County on Monday.
