Volleyball: AC, OR lose in region tournament; Bearden, Farragut advance

 

CLINTON—The Anderson County and Oak Ridge girls volleyball teams were eliminated in the Region 2-AAA tournament at Anderson County High School on Tuesday, and Bearden and Farragut advanced.

The Lady Wildcats lost to Farragut in three straight semifinal games: 25-17, 25-11, and 25-12.

The Lady Mavericks lost to Bearden in three straight semifinal games as well: 25-23, 25-11, and 25-22.

Oak Ridge and Anderson County are District 3 teams in Region 2, and Bearden and Farragut are District 4.

The Lady Admirals went on to beat the Lady Bulldogs in the Region 2-AAA championship game 3-1. It was the fourth region title in a row for Farragut. Both teams advance to the state sectionals on Thursday.

Alexis Parker of Farragut, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player, had 14 kills and five digs against Oak Ridge. The Lady Admirals’ Madi Howell had nine digs, seven aces, five kills, and four blocks.

Emma Milloway of Oak Ridge, the Lady Wildcats’ only senior, had six kills, five digs, one service ace, and one assist. Alex Sherles had 10 kills for Oak Ridge, five digs, three assists, and two solo blocks.

Oak Ridge came out strong but lost momentum in the second game, Assistant Coach David Kolodney said. The team came back “real big” in the third game, but it wasn’t enough.

“We fell behind, and we couldn’t come back,” Kolodney said. “It wasn’t our night.”

Still, the Lady Wildcats fought hard and stayed strong, and that speaks to the team’s character, he said.

Kolodney said Beth Wyatt, a setter, played well and has improved all year. And there was strong play from the whole front line on Tuesday, including Olivia Milloway and Stella Powell, who had many good blocks. Even when they didn’t get the block, they had good touches on the ball, which allowed Oak Ridge to make plays, Kolodney said.

Farragut Coach Susan Davidson said the Lady Admirals’ setters moved the ball well against the Lady Wildcats. Setter Sydney Cherney had five service aces, six kills, and three blocks, Davidson said, and setter Tia Madden had 12 assists and five service aces.

“We passed a little better, and it gave us some options on offense,” said Davidson, who added that Oak Ridge has a young, talented team. Farragut made it to the state championship game last year and finished as state runner-up.

Anderson County Coach Jayme Smith said the Lady Mavericks, who beat Oak Ridge in the District 3-AAA championship last week, got off to a good start against Bearden on Tuesday, but seemed to be affected by their defeat in the first game.

“I think when they lost that first game, they lost their momentum and their confidence a bit,” she said. “We started off so well.”

But, she added, “We couldn’t finish it out.”

More information will be added as it becomes available.

 

 

 

 

 

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