CASTLEWOOD — Erasing a two-set deficit, the Lady Tigers rallied to defeat Castlewood in five sets (19-25, 23-25, 25-22, 25-15, 15-11) on Wednesday at Buddy Poole Court.
Junior McKenzie Lowe (11 kills, three blocks) had a career night, and sophomore Carey Keene (10 kills, three blocks) as the two middle hitters of Honaker controlled the net at crunch time, posting double-digit kills.
The Tigers had dug a deep hole, committing 37 errors in the first two sets. In set three, the Blue Devils held an 11-1 lead, seemingly in control of the match.
“It was great, all the girls showed a lot of grit,” Lowe said. “We showed that we can be just as good a team as anyone else. We’re in it to win it this season. Every girl had a refuse-to-lose attitude, which turned this game around for us.”
Down 10 points in the third, Honaker methodically fought back. With Kate Jessee, Kalli Miller, and Jaiden Thompson on the service line, they took 13 of the following 17 points to get back in the set. They finally tied it at 21 on a dink by Lowe and took a 22-21 lead on a spike by Lowe.
Anna Summers had a kill for Castlewood to even it up at 22-all. Lowe then thumped a free ball, and Graceson Whited served an ace, and the Blue Devils had an attack error to give the Tigers the final three points to take the third set.
There is little more vital than momentum in volleyball. After set three, ‘Mo’ went to the orange and black. Honaker took an 8-1 advantage in the fourth set, was never tied, and never trailed from that point, winning the set by 10.
In the decisive fifth, the Tigers took the lead at 3-2 and never relinquished it using Lowe and Keene at the net. Up 12-11, Jessee served two aces. Keene then hammered a kill to win the match.
“I was a little nervous when I was going up to hit it,” commented Keene. “I was glad when I saw it hit the court on the other side.
“We were all a little scared, but the team knew we could pull it out if we kept our momentum up. After the second set, Coach [Misty Davis] Miller told us how many errors we had, which was high. If we played as a team, fixed those errors, talked and played like we’re capable, I knew we could pull it out.”
Jessee and Kadence Keen contributed six kills each, and Thompson hammered five. Valeigh Stevens (19 assists) and Whited (14 assists) directed the offense. Jessee was also a terror on the line with 17 service points, including six aces.
Lowe and Keene provided a good 1-2 punch for Honaker. It was a career-high in kills for Lowe.
“I thought McKenzie played a great game,” coach Miller said. “She stayed aggressive at the net and brings a lot of enthusiasm to the floor, I’m super proud of her.
“Carey had a tremendous night, too. I’m blessed with two great middle hitters, they work hard, have great attitudes, and give me everything they have.”
It was quite a comeback for the Tigers.