MATT TYSON

Staff Writer

The Coffee County volleyball team began the final week of the regular season with a Class 3A District 9 home match Tuesday night.

Taking on cross-county rival Tullahoma for senior night, the Lady Raiders came up short on the way to a 3-1 loss to the Lady Cats.

Coffee County jumped out to an early lead in the first set, but Tullahoma began to close the gap as it continued. Tied at 8-8, the Lady Raiders continued to hold off the Lady Cats for a bit longer, but Tullahoma went on to break a 13-13 tie and take the lead. Coffee County was unable to get back in front and finished the set down 25-20.

The Lady Raiders responded by breaking out early once again in the second set, but continued to maintain this gap as it continued. Coffee County ultimately won the set 25-15 to tie the match at 1-1.

Trailing Tullahoma early in the third set, the Lady Raiders were able to tie it at 5-5 and then take the lead on the next point. Coffee County continued to hold a slim lead for much of the set’s remainder, but the Lady Cats were not done yet.

Leading Tullahoma 24-23 and needing one point to win the set, Coffee County gave up the next point to tie it at 24 apiece. The Lady Cats went on to win the next two points and win the third set 26-24.

A close fourth set followed, but Tullahoma was able to do just enough to beat Coffee County 25-23 and seal the match.

Hayleigh Harris led the team in aces with two. Andon Selvog, Danni Hillis and Isabelle Saner had one each.

Selvog had a dominant showing in the digs category, finishing the evening with 32. This number put Selvog at second in the program overall for a single game, trailing only teammate and single-game record holder Jenslee Nogodula, who added 28. Harris was credited with 22 digs. Hillis followed with 19. Saner came away with 12 digs. Cara Newlin picked up six to finish just ahead of Paisley Dyer with five. Cailey Sturgill, Blaine Weaver and Addy Wild each had three digs.

Harris was the team’s kills leader with 11 on the match. Up next were Hillis and Newlin with eight each. Sturgill added four kills. Wild brought in two. Selvog, Saner and Weaver had one kill each.

Newlin led the way in blocks with two. Hillis, Dyer and Harris each had one.

Saner led the team in assists with 18. Selvog followed with 14. Nogodula had one assist.

Coffee County (14-13, 4-5 district) returns to action with a home match against Grundy County at 6 p.m. this evening. The Lady Raiders will then close out their regular-season slate with another home district match against Lawrence County at 6 p.m. Thursday.