Repeat ‘happy b’day’ rivalry win for Katy
KNOXVILLE — For the second straight season, the Bearden High School volleyball team gave its coach an unforgettable birthday present.
The Lady Bulldogs swept Kingston Pike rival Farragut Thursday, Aug. 31, at home, claiming a 25-20, 25-22, 25-13 victory over the Lady Ads.
“I’m really proud of the way the girls played tonight,” said BHS second-year head coach Katy Davidson, who has celebrated her birthday for the second straight year by coaching Bearden to victory versus the Lady Admirals. “This was a happy birthday for me, and this happened last year too.”
The first two sets were competitive, as the Lady Bulldogs (6-2 overall, 2-1 in District 4-AAA starting the week) and Farragut (6-7, 1-2 beginning the week) road a roller coaster. The Lady Ads opened a 9-5 lead in the first game on a service point by Anniston Kennedy. But Bearden’s Kara Hughes served up three straight points to tie the set 9-9.
The Lady Bulldogs scored eight straight points to take a commanding 17-11 lead before the Lady Admirals clawed their way back, as Tori McNair engineered another huge service run for a 17-17 tie.
But Bearden reeled off seven of the last eight points to bring an end to the first game.
Farragut squandered another late advantage in Game 2 as it led 21-20 only to see the Lady Bulldogs score five of the last six points to take a commanding 2-0 advantage in the match.
Lady Bulldog A.C. Myers scored nine consecutive service points and came up with three aces in the third set, and the Lady Admirals never recovered.
“They gave up,” Alves said of his team. “Eventually, they get to the point where they have a deflated or defeated attitude. It’s like they don’t want to play.
“They want to play when things are going well, but then we have unfortunate and untimely unforced errors. We miss a serve or we get aced or we hit a ball out of bounds.”
Davidson, although pleased, said that her squad still has some big matches left.
“We battled, but it’s not going to get any easier,” she said “But I’m really proud of my seniors.
Myers, a senior who led Bearden’s hitting attack with 13 kills, said the win over the Lady Admirals was special.
“I’m a senior and this was my last time playing against Farragut,” said Myers, who also had three aces. “This one was special to me and it was special to us.
“I wanted to win this for my coach. I know it was special for her, too. We battled and I know we have some tough teams left to play but I believe in my teammates.”
