MATT TYSON

Staff Writer

Coffee County volleyball opened its Class 3A District 9 slate with a victory Tuesday night.

Hosting Shelbyville Central for their first home match of the 2026 season, the Lady Raiders did not give up a set on the way to a 3-0 victory. Coffee County won by set scores of 25-16, 25-20 and 25-18.

“We started out slow that first set. They (Shelbyville) have improved a whole lot from last year. Their new coach has really improved Shelbyville,” Coffee County coach Jon Spears said. “But we figured it out towards the end. That’s what we’ve got to do. We were closing at the very end. We’ve gotta surge ahead instead of falling back. That’s what I love about this team. We figured out how towards that end, we’re surging ahead.”

After a close start to the first set, the Lady Raiders broke a 6-6 tie and began to pull ahead from there, holding the Golden Eaglettes to 10 more points over the set’s remainder.

Shelbyville once again kept it close to open the second set, with the two teams keeping it tight before Coffee County broke a 13-13 tie to take control. The Lady Raiders remained ahead through the set’s remainder and went on to win it by five on the way to taking a 2-0 match lead.

Coffee County continued to fight off a resilient Shelbyville Central effort to start the third set, with the two teams once more reaching a tie at 13 points apiece. The Lady Raiders once again took control on the following point and remained ahead for the set’s remainder, ultimately limiting the Golden Eaglettes to five more points on the way to securing the three-set sweep.

In addition to putting Coffee County at 1-0 in district play, the win also improved the team to 2-0 overall.

“Hustle and we keep everything on the floor,” Spears said of what has stood out through the first two matches. “Our defense is really strong this year. We need to keep it up and make the other team make the mistakes.”

Hayliegh Harris, Isabelle Saner and Jenslee Nogodula led the Lady Raiders in aces with two each. Danni Hillis and Addy Wild each had one ace.

Nogodula led the team in digs with 17 on the match. Up next was Harris with 15. Hillis and Andon Selvog both added seven digs each. Cara Newlin followed with six. Saner came away with five digs. Blaine Weaver was credited with two. Daisy Kapise had one dig.

Hillis and Newlin shared the top spot for kills with eight each on the evening. Harris finished right behind with seven. Wild, Cailey Sturgill and Paisley Dyer all added four kills each. Saner and Kapise each had one.

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

Selvog led the way in assists with 21. Saner notched 12. Hillis and Newlin both had one assist each.

Coffee County travels to Lincoln County for a road match Thursday. Start time is set for 6 p.m.