Good Hope's Jesse Kent scores in the Lady Raiders’ win over Hanceville Tuesday night. (Nick Griffin for The Cullman Tribune)
HANCEVILLE – After coming up just short on the road against New Hope over the weekend, the Good Hope Lady Raiders traveled to Hanceville Tuesday afternoon for a tri-match with the Lady Bulldogs and Priceville. Before Good Hope hit the floor, Hanceville and Priceville opened things up.
It was a tough day for the home-standing Lady Bulldogs. Priceville defeated Hanceville, 25-8 and 25-7, in the first match of the day. Sophomore Ally Bice picked up a kill in each set.
Next up, the Lady Raiders took the floor to take on Priceville. Priceville took the first set, 25-20, despite five kills and two blocks from Good Hope’s Jesse Kent. The Lady Raiders bounced back and edged out Priceville in the second set, 25-23, thanks in large part to three more kills and two more blocks from Kent, two aces and kills from Skylar Tucker and four kills from Abigail Horton, including the game-winner. Good Hope was in control for most of the third set and put Priceville away, 15-8, to win the match. Orton collected four more kills in the third set and Savanna Burney added two kills of her own.
In the final match of the evening, Hanceville made its way back onto the floor to take on the Lady Raiders. Good Hope stayed hot after its win over Priceville and dominated Hanceville, 25-3 and 25-12, to complete their sweep of the tri-match. Good Hope’s Alee Jackson racked up 11 aces in the first set and Kent picked up three more kills in both sets against Hanceville.
Lady Raiders Head Coach Natasha Holcombe was pleased with how her squad performed on the road, particularly in the grudge match with Priceville.
“We had already played Priceville this season, and it was our first regular season game and we didn’t play very well. We had to travel there, and we lost, so we came back really looking for a little bit of revenge today because we know that we’ve grown since two weeks ago. My back row against Priceville was amazing. My libero, Skylar Tucker, had 25 perfect passes in three sets which was huge,” Holcombe said. “Then our hitters did their job and put it down, so it started with our passing on the back row; our sets were awesome, and then our hits were good, so that was just a great job of executing in that game. Against Hanceville, I think we played really well in the first set. During that second set we kind of relaxed a little bit and played a little too comfortable. I just keep saying to not let us get out of our comfort zone, so we need to keep pushing and pushing and they did well.”
Both Good Hope and Hanceville will be back on the court Sept. 6. The Lady Raiders will travel to Fairview for a tri-match with the Lady Aggies and Hayden, while Hanceville will look to bounce back on the road against Holly Pond.
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