A 3-1 HVA volleyball week features sweep of Oak Ridge
Hardin Valley Academy’s volleyball team made quick work of Oak Ridge Wednesday night, Sept. 6, in a non-District match on the road. The win, by consecutive set scores of 25-16 and 25-17, was the Lady Hawks’ third of the week.
The night before, HVA (14-2 overall, 3-1 in District 4-AAA starting the week) defeated Lakeway Christian 2-0 (25-13, 25-17). The next day, Thursday, Sept, 7, HVA fell to district foe Maryville 2-1.
On Saturday, the Lady Hawks made it 3-1 for the week with a 2-0 win versus Coffee County.
“I think we missed too many serves, but I thought they kept the intensity they needed to keep,” HVA head coach Joy Waller said of the Oak Ridge match. “We got a little cocky (in the first set). We have to stay humble through all of our sets. We started off really well.”
Well indeed. The Lady Hawks led 10-0 before Oak Ridge got its first point. The lead ballooned to 17-4 before the Lady Wildcats fought back a bit, winning 10 of 15 points in one stretch.
Senior outside hitter Tinsley Brown admitted the team lost some focus with the big lead. “We weren’t mentally in it the whole time,” she said. “We were letting off the gas at times.”
In the second set, ORHS led 5-4 before an 11-3 run by Hardin Valley made it 15-8. The teams traded points after that.
Brown led the team in kills with six. Setter Lexi Schoellart had nine assists, while right-side hitter Annah Cate Hyatt had five aces. Middle hitter Bailey Byrd recorded four blocks, while libero Gracy Lasig led in digs with seven.
“I think our connections are getting better,” Waller said. “Not letting balls drop as much; we’re controlling the pace more. We gave them way too many points (on serves).”
Against Lakeway, Brown again led in kills with 10. Hyatt had 11 assists and five aces. Brown and Calleigh Ringle each had eight digs. Bella Buccola and Vanessa Grant tied with four blocks apiece.
“I was very pleased,” said Waller of the win over the Lady Lions. “They’re a good group. They’re young … it was a fun game.”
