MATT TYSON

Staff Writer

Coffee County volleyball’s deep run for a chance at a Class 3A District 9 tournament title ended just a little short Thursday night.

After taking down Lawrence County 3-2 in the semifinals, the Lady Raiders overcame a slower start, but still fell 3-1 to Lincoln County in the district final to finish as the tournament runners-up.

“If we came ready to play like we did Tuesday night, I knew we had a chance to beat Lawrence. We started off slow, but we came on strong at the end and I just think we were wore out in the championship game,” Coffee County coach Jon Spears said. “Our girls gave everything they had, grit and everything. Lincoln County only played three (sets), so they had the advantage. They’re a very good team, but I’m proud of my girls. They don’t ever give up.”

The Lady Falcons got going early by cruising to a 25-13 win in the first set. Coffee County continued to have difficulties putting points on the board in the second set, finishing it down 25-10 to fall into a 2-0 hole.

Needing to win the third set to keep their district title hopes alive, the Lady Raiders kept right with the Lady Falcons before breaking a 13-13 tie. Coffee County was able to hold a slim lead from there and ultimately won the set 25-22 to keep the match going.

After Lincoln County jumped out to a 7-1 lead early in the fourth set, the Lady Raiders began to climb back into it. Coffee County proceeded to take the next five points to cut the Lady Falcon lead to 7-6, but Lincoln County was able to win the next three points to remain ahead.

Trailing 14-7 as the set continued, the Lady Raiders were able to tighten it once more by going on a 10-5 scoring run to cut the Lady Falcon lead to 19-17. Lincoln County continued to remain ahead, but Coffee County was able to cut into it further as the set continued, at one point cutting the lead to 21-20.

The Lady Falcons were able to do just enough from there, winning three straight points before ultimately winning the fourth set 25-21.

“That’s all them. Monday we came in and had just a fun, easy practice,” Spears said of what was key to the Lady Raiders’ postseason surge. “Then yesterday (Wednesday), we came in and had an easy practice.”

Jenslee Nogodula led the team in aces with three. Danni Hillis had one.

Nogodula also led the way in digs with 30. Hayleigh Harris followed with 15. Isabelle Saner added 10 digs. Andon Selvog brought in six, finishing just ahead of Hillis with five. Cailey Sturgill, Paisley Dyer and Addy Wild were all credited with two digs each. Daisy Kapise had one.

Hillis was the team’s kills leader with 12 on the match. Up next was Harris with 10. Sturgill picked up four kills. Saner and Kapise followed with three each. Dyer came away with two kills. Wild had one.

Wild led the team in blocks with two. Hillis and Sturgill had one block each.

Selvog and Saner shared the top spot for assists with 15 each. Harris and Nogodula each had one.

Following the match, Harris, Hillis, Nogodula and Selvog were named to the Class 3A District 9 All-District team. Harris, Nogodula and Saner were also named to the All-Tournament team.

The district runner-up finish secures Coffee County (19-15) a spot in next week’s region tournament, which will begin Tuesday. The Lady Raiders’ opponent and the location of the match are yet to be determined.

Lady Raiders take down Lawrence in five sets

Coming into Thursday’s district tournament semifinal match, Lawrence County had lost just one district game all season and came into the game with a 31-6 record overall. In two regular-season matches, the Lady Cats had beaten Coffee County by scores of 3-0 and 3-1 as well.

It was a different story this time around.

Facing off against Lincoln County once again with a spot in the tournament final on the line, the Lady Raiders fought to a fifth set and ultimately came out on top 3-2.

After dropping the first set 25-13, Coffee County found itself looking up at the Lady Cats for most of the second set as well. The Lady Raiders were able to keep pace with Lawrence County and tied it at 21-21 before taking control on the next point. Coffee County added three straight points from there to win the set 25-21 and tie the match at 1-1.

Lawrence County responded by once again having a handle on the third set, winning it 25-13 to put the Lady Raiders in a 2-1 hole.

Needing to win the fourth set to have a chance, Coffee County jumped out to an early 7-3 lead before the Lady Cats began to climb back into it. Tied at 12-12, Lawrence County took the lead on the next point and continued to remain ahead as the set continued. The Lady Raiders continued to fight and ultimately tied it once again at 19 apiece. Coffee County went on to win six straight points and take the set 25-19 to force a winner-take-all fifth set.

Tied at 3-3 early in the fifth, the Lady Raiders broke off for four straight points to build up some space. Coffee County held Lawrence County to six more points from there on the way to a 15-9 match-sealing victory.

Hillis and Harris each had one ace.

Nogodula led the team in digs with 29. Harris followed with 22. Saner added 16 digs to finish just ahead of Hillis with 15. Selvog brought in 10. Cailey Sturgill and Addy Wild were both credited with three digs each. Dyer, Blaine Weaver and Genna Sadler each had one.

Harris led the way in kills with 15. Up next was Hillis with nine. Sturgill picked up six kills. Saner connected on three. Dyer and Kapise followed with two kills each. Selvog, Nogodula and Wild each had one.

Wild took the top spot for blocks with three. Hillis followed with two. Dyer had one block. Selvog led the team in assists with 15. Saner added 10. Nogodula brought in three assists. Harris had one.