Dominant Farragut takes down volleyball rival Oak Ridge 2-0
Last Wednesday night at home in Lynn E. Sexton Gymnasium, Farragut High’s volleyball team dispatched Oak Ridge with relative ease in a non-district match.
The Lady Admirals won the best-of-three match 2-0 Sept. 20 with set scores of 25-19 and 25-17 on “Pink-Out” Senior Night. Both teams wore pink to bring attention to the campaign to fight breast cancer.
Significant for FHS was the return of senior libero Avery Mandl, who had missed three weeks of matches because of injury.
Lady Admirals head coach Andre Alves was pleased with his squad’s performance.
“When we win the serve and pass battle, we play pretty well,” he said. “We were a little lackadaisical on defense, but offense: top notch.”
“It was good,” Mandl said. “I had so much fun. I was a little rusty. It was good to start yesterday (against William Blount Tuesday, Sept. 19) and actually get back in. Today was easier than yesterday.
“I think we played well.”
Match highlights
Scoring runs by both teams led to a 16-15 FHS lead in the first set. A 9-4 final run by Farragut — capped off by a kill by outside hitter Elsa Morrison -— closed out the first set.
A late run by Oak Ridge prevented the second set from being a blowout. FHS led 23-11 before the Ridgers won six of seven before losing this rivalry match.
Morrison led the team in kills with eight. Mandl had eight digs, while setter Tori McNair contributed 12 assists.
Alves had high praise for Morrison. “Elsa was amazing as usual,” he said. “Her jump serve is beautiful. She’s moving around at the net. She’s hitting outside.
“That’s my game plan: I’ve gotta move Elsa around,” Alves added.
The coach was asked about his assessment of the team on the eve of post-season play.
“I feel ready,” Alves said. “I think the chemistry is there. I think we’re ready to compete. Glad to have Avery back. It was good to see her out there.”
Loss to WBHS
The previous night the Lady Ads lost 3-2 in a closely contested district match at William Blount 25-16, 16-25, 16-25, 25-23, 15-13.
Morrison led in kills with 20 and digs with 21. McNair had 37 assists. McNair and Teagen Williams each had three aces.
