By Michael Lindsay
The Stone Memorial Lady Panthers opened their week with a non-district volleyball win Monday afternoon as they defeated Smith County, 3-1.
“I think we played okay,” said Stone Memorial head coach Tori Permenter. “We won those first two sets, so I would have liked to have won the third, but I have to give props to Smith County. They came out ready to go, and I’m really glad we play them. Coach Krissa Hackett does a great job over there, so it’s a good non-district win.”
The Lady Panthers won the first two sets 26-24 and 25-18 before Smith County bounced back to win the third set, 25-21. Stone Memorial closed out the victory in the fourth by a 25-15 margin.
“This past weekend, we went to a tournament and played a lot of close sets, so I think that’s prepared us,” said Permenter. “We have to learn to carry those leads and not let a team come back.”
Lucy Grothe recorded 15 kills for the Lady Panthers. Madison Lefebvre posted 29 digs along with 28 from Adyson Bennett and 16 by Breanna Looper.
“Aydson and Madison combined for 57 digs,” said Permenter. “To have two players close to 30 digs; my defense played amazing tonight. Lucy led us in kills, but I thought we spread the wealth.”
Stone Memorial is scheduled to host DeKalb County on Tuesday and Cumberland County on Thursday while Smith County hosts Trousdale on Thursday.
