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Opportunity Knocks: Lady Tiger spikers dazzle with high-octane performance against Fort Scott
Despite a four-set loss to visiting Fort Scott (Kan.) High School, the Nevada Lady Tiger volleyball team impressed with a high-energy performance at Wynn Gym Tuesday night.
For a second consecutive match to open the season, Nevada was without seven (likely) varsity rotational players. Stepping into the glare of the spotlight, were several Lady Tiger student-athletes not assured of a starting varsity role to open the campaign.
After absorbing a three-set sweep against Mount Vernon in their season-opener, the Lady Tigers seemed to find their footing late in the first set against Fort Scott. Kept at bay for the majority of the opening set, the Lady Tigers stormed back late, eventually succumbing, 25-23.
Nevada (0-2) carried its late first set momentum over into the second set, and behind the superb serving of junior libero Grace Barnes, darted out to a 3-0 lead. With the rollicking NHS student-section playing a key role, Nevada's energy level seemed to increase as the set wore on, going on top 12-6.
Junior outside hitter Abbey Heathman's kill handed Nevada a 19-10 cushion. Back on the back-line, Barnes' serves late in the set continued to flummox the visitors, as the Lady Tigers rolled to a convincing 25-16 second set victory.
Fort Scott led the third set 22-15, but a 5-0 Nevada spurt closed Nevada's deficit to two. Out of a timeout, Fort Scott responded, taking the next two points and putting the Lady Tigers on the brink at 24-20. Nevada didn't fold, ringing up the next two points, but ultimately falling 25-22.
Nevada grabbed a 2-1 fourth-set advantage, but Fort Scott replied with an 11-3 blitz, going on top 12-5. Trailing 15-8, Nevada was on the verge of letting the contest slip away. Freshman middle blocker Delaney Hope's spike then injected energy back into Nevada, sparking a 7-1 run, slicing the deficit to 16-14.
With the set at 18-15, Fort Scott rattled off the next five points, seizing a commanding 23-15 advantage. With their backs against the wall, and trailing 24-17, the Lady Tigers electrified the Wynn Gym faithful with a 6-0 blitz, shaving Fort Scott's lead to a point.
After a pressure-packed back-and-forth, Hope came up with an acrobatic block on the left side of the net. Hope's heroic play, however, was not to be, as the ball narrowly landed out of bounds — sending the visitors to a three-sets to one victory.
For Nevada Barnes finished with a team-high 20 digs, while Hope and Heathman chipped in 10 kills apiece. Nevada junior setter Jade Feller also put forth a sparkling performance, tallying 25 assists and three aces — while Taylor Thompson added a trio of blocks. Tuesday night's festivities were originally slated as a triangular, but Anderson (Kan.) High School did not make the trip. In other action Tueday, Nevada's junior varsity squad fell to Fort Scott in three sets 25-15, 19-25, 10-15 — while the Lady Tiger C-team earned a split — 25-16, 18-25.
"We definitely made great strides from our first game (Sept.3)," said first-year Lady Tiger head coach, Kori Dodson. "Our defense was a lot better. And attack-wise, we went up, were swinging, and got a lot down tonight — unlike last week. So that was good to see."
Opportunity knocked for Tuesday's starting cast, and Dodson indicated she was thrilled with what she witnessed.
"The opportunity that has opened for these girls is a big one, and a lot of them are taking advantage of it," Dodson noted. "That's good to see, and that's what we're taking this as. A big opportunity for a lot of girls who were fighting for varsity spots — they have them right now. That's big."
Dodson said the energy displayed by her club Tuesday night is fostering the development of team chemistry. In particular, Barnes was the straw that stirred the drink for Nevada.
"She's stepped up big," Dodson began. "She's someone we knew we needed to get in there some way or another. She took on a big role as libero, and she brings energy and fire. Her serving is great as well."
When asked about the varsity rotation, Dodson said "everything is still wide open."
"I've said that from the beginning," she said. "We have a lot of girls, with a lot of talent. So it's going to be a fight week-to-week."
Dodson indicated those currently out, should be available for their Sept. 14 non-conference home-date with Neosho. In the meantime, Nevada's varsity-rotational cast from the first two contests will be back in the spotlight for Thursday's non-conference home-clash with Bolivar. The varsity match is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start-time.
Editor's note: The Nevada R-5 school district is prohibited from commenting on the nature of its student-athletes'absences from extra-curricular activities.