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Coffee County volleyball coach Jon Spears already knew this year’s team had no quit in it. Win or lose, he had seen this quality firsthand over the Lady Raiders’ initial slate of matches to start the 2025 season.

That determination was on full display at Joe Frank Patch Gymnasium Thursday night.

Welcoming Columbia for a district contest, the Lady Raiders battled through five sets to come out on top 3-2 over the Lady Lions. Additionally, the win kept Coffee County’s perfect start to district play intact.

“We lost that first set and then we tweaked with our lineup. We went back to our original that we did when we won the first three (matches) and I thought we played lights out after that. The third set, I think that got us going,” Spears said. “Everything was great tonight. Our passing was good, we talked good, our energy was way up. I’m really pleased with the way the girls played tonight.”

After dropping the first set in a 26-24 tiebreak, the Lady Raiders jumped out to an 11-3 lead early in the second. Columbia was able to tighten the gap from there with an 8-3 run to close the Coffee County lead to 14-11. The Lady Raiders did not let the Lady Lions come any closer than within three points over the set’s remainder and ultimately won 25-19 to tie up the match.

Momentum continued to favor Coffee County as the third set got under way. With Taylor Brinkley on the serve, the Lady Raiders jumped out to a 7-0 lead before Columbia’s first point. Coffee County continued to push ahead from there, winning the next eight points to go up 15-1. The massive gap the Lady Raiders built early in the set remained through its conclusion, with a shot from Morgen Spears ending it 25-12 to put the home team up 2-1.

Coffee County led for much of the start of the fourth set, but the Lady Lions were not done yet. Tied at 19-19, Columbia took control on the next point and did not fall behind again, winning the set 25-21 to tie match at two sets apiece.

Tied at 5-5 to start the decisive fifth set, the Lady Raiders took the ensuing point and never looked back. Coffee County ultimately outscored the Lady Lions 10-4 to win 15-9 and secure the victory.

“When you play matches like that and you’re in that fifth set, you know you can win that fifth set,” Spears said. “That gives you momentum and that gives you confidence.”

Spears was the team’s kills leader, finishing the match with 11. Danni Hillis and Hayliegh Harris followed with six each, just ahead of Carrington Saner and Cailey Sturgill with five each, respectively. Allysa Goon and Cara Newlin both came away with three. Andon Selvog had one kill.

Selvog recorded three aces. Spears added one.

Saner was credited with four blocks. Hillis, Harris, Goon and Spears each brought in one.

Brinkley posted 20 assists. Selvog was credited with 11. Hillis and Goon had one block each.

Jenslee Nogodula continued her dig dominance, coming away with 26 over the course of the match. Goon added 16. Selvog followed with 10 digs. Hillis, Brinkley and Sturgill all added seven. Up next was Spears with six. Harris was credited with five. Emma Haley had two digs, with one each for Saner and Newlin.

Coffee County (4-2) returns to action with a home match against Franklin County at 6 p.m. Tuesday.