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The LCHS varsity volleyball team gets pumped up before a match. The Lady Indians have won eight of their last 10 games, improving their overall record to 12-9.
The Lumpkin varsity volleyball team caught fire to win eight out of their last 10 games and improve to 12-9 on the season when they fought their way past some fierce competition last week.
“I am so proud of the way we competed this week,” said LCHS head volleyball coach Haley Dibble. “I saw some of the best volleyball I have ever seen us play and we worked like a team. Everything I saw this week makes me very excited for the rest of the season.”
The Lady Indians began the week with games versus Murray County and Pickens County at Pickens County High School on Tuesday, August 20.
Lumpkin earned a straight set victory over Murray County. The Lady Indians had to battle in the first set to win 25-18, but cruised to a 25-8 win in the second set to take the game.
After defeating Murray County, Lumpkin then turned its focus on Pickens County. The Nettes proved a bit more tough than Murray County and both teams found themselves tied at 1-1 after the first two sets, forcing a tie-breaking, third set. The Lady Indians fought hard and were able to eke out the win in the third set to defeat Pickens.
The win allowed the Lady Indians to start the week with a two-game winning streak.
Lumpkin extended that winning streak to four straight games when the Lady Indians traveled to West Hall for games against West Hall and Johnson.
Having been beaten by West Hall in three sets in the two teams’ first matchup of the season, the Lady Indians came out hungry for a win and a bit of redemption. With powerful net play, sensational digs and a solid service game, the Lady Indians defeated West Hall in straight sets. The victory extended the Lady Indians’ win streak to three.
Not finished, Lumpkin then went on to defeat Johnson in straight sets as well. The Lady Indians went back-and-forth with Johnson in the first set, but eked out a 25-22 win. The second set proved easier for Lumpkin, as the Lady Indians earned a 25-16 win.
The win over Johnson extended the team’s win streak to four in-a-row.
The Lady Indians concluded their week by taking part in the Rally at the Ridge tournament hosted by Fannin County on Saturday, August 24.
Lumpkin got off to a slow start when they took to the court against Calhoun in its first game of pool play. Calhoun took advantage of the Lady Indians’ slow start and defeated them in straight sets, 25-21 and 25-13.
The loss snapped Lumpkin’s winning streak, but the Lady Indians didn’t let the loss get them down and they began a three-game win streak when they faced off with Pickens County, Murray County and Gilmer County to finish off pool play.
The Lady Indians easily dispatched of the Nettes in straight sets, 25-9 and 25-20. Lumpkin then defeated Murray County
In straight sets, 25-18 and 25-8, before beating Gilmer County 15-11 in a third set.
The three-game win streak allowed the Lady Indians to advance out of pool play and into the championship game where they met back up with Calhoun.
In the championship game, the Lady Indians put up a terrific fight to force Calhoun to a third set. After losing the first set 25-17, Lumpkin forced the tie-breaking, third set with a 25-19 second set victory. The two teams went toe-to-toe in the final set, but in the end Calhoun would emerge victorious 17-15 to take the game 2-1.
Despite the loss in the championship game, Dibble was proud of the way her players performed at the tournament.
“Saturday was tough with a long day of volleyball and most of our was team sick, but they never gave up until the last ball hit the ground,” Dibble said. “Making it to the championship game in the tournament and playing that hard the whole way proves that we have what it takes to go all the way.”
At press time, the Lady Indians were set to square off with Flowery Branch and Chestatee at the Longhouse at the LCHS gymnasium on Tuesday, August 27. No official results were available.
The LCHS varsity volleyball team will look to continue improving and earning victories when the Lady Indians host Habersham at the Longhouse tomorrow, August 29. Match begins at 5 p.m.