It took five sets and a whole lot of intensity and determination, but in the end Hobbton’s varsity girls showed enough of both to get the 3-2 win.
Scores by set were 25-21; 23-25; 20-25; 15-13.
The JV didn’t mirror the varsity, falling in two to the younger ‘Dogs, 10-25, 6-25.
Coach Russell Jones said he could see improvements in his varsity girls, pointing to recent games with James Kenan and Trask.
“I think they’re maturing. They’re making some plays now and they are realizing that you have to make those plays to win.”
The ‘Cats and Wallace, Jones said, were pretty evenly matched and proved it as they went at each other on the court.
Hobbton came out strong and got out in front first and although Wallace pushed back, the ‘Cats held on and put it away.
In the second, the Lady ‘Cats spotted the visitors 8 points and even though they crawled back into the game, catching up at 20, Wallace played strong and made the plays, taking the set.
The third was much the same, with the Lady Bulldogs taking the set.
Hobbton got back in it, making some plays and easing into a lead, but again, Wallace caught back up. This time, though, the ‘Cats got back in the lead and got the win.
In the fifth and final set, Hobbton’s girls started strong and made plays at the right time, taking the lead at 10-5 and maintaining it at 12-7.
“I was feeling pretty comfortable, but they came back again. They played scrappy and got back in it, but we managed to hold on to get the win,” Jones said.
Individually for the varsity, Taylor Bowden had 7 aces, 5 kills and 34 assists; Marcie McLamb, 4 kills and 2 assists; Casey Hobbs, 5 aces, 17 kills, 1 assist and 3 blocks; Michaela Wilson, 5 aces, 12 kills and 1 assist; Courtney Phipps, 3 aces, 4 kills and 2 assists; McKenna Smith, 9 kills, 1 assist and 2 blocks; and Haley Evans, 1 assist.
In the JV game, Jones said the younger Wildcats were working to develop a higher skill level and that came with growing pains.
“At the JV level, it’s a learning experience, and we’re trying to make them play the game the right way. We’re working on it, but their skill level isn’t quite there yet. When they are seniors, they’ll be great players. We’ve got to work toward it,” Jones said.
For the JV, Melissa Gallegos had an assist; Kaylee Matthews had 1 ace; Reece Holland had 1 kill; Haley Martinez had 1 kill and 1 assist; and Joanna Hinson had 1 kill.
The Wildcats travel to Midway next Tuesday for a 4:30 game with the Raiders.
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