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Tag: high school volleyball

  • Crestview Knights Varsity Girls Volleyball Win on Senior Night.

    A group of six people standing on a volleyball court, including two players in uniform, flanked by coaches and supporters, during a recognition event.

    After 3 straight games on the road, the Lady Knights were back at home, one last time this season. That means, it’s Senior Night.

    There are only 2 seniors, on a young team this season, as #3 Kaci Gregory and #19 Lainey Gardner were honored before the game.

    I was sitting with the rest of the team on the floor, for the pregame activities. While most of the girls held it together, there was one who could not.

    Afterwards, the Lady Knights had a tall (they were outsized) task ahead of them.

    The 14-6 Ottoville Big Green were in at The Ray, and looking to play spoiler.

    A volleyball team huddled together on the court, listening attentively to their coach, who is giving instructions. The players are wearing white jerseys with blue accents, and there are visible court markings in the background.

    The Lady Knights would get the first 2 points. Ottoville would respond to make it 2-2. The teams would trade points back and forth, to an 8-8 game. They’d then trade 2 point streaks, and again, be tied at 12-12. The Lady Knights would score 5 straight, and force Ottoville head coach Alexis Lautzenheiser to call a timeout, down 17-12.

    The Big Green would respond by winning 6 of the next 9 points, getting the score to 20-18. This time forcing Crestview head coach Tammy Gregory to call a timeout. The Lady Knights would end up winning the first set 25-21.

    Lady Knights 1st set winning point.

    The Big Green would capitalize on communication mistakes by the Lady Knights, and quickly go up 3-0. A looooooooooong rally, showing off incredible athleticism and stamina, as players from both teams were diving and getting hard digs, ultimately, the Big Green would win the hard-earned point, and give Ottoville a 4-0 lead. Crestview would respond by winning the next 4 straight points, and tying the game up.

    They would go back and forth to an 8-8 game. They’d trade 2-point streaks, and it would be 12-12 now. Ottoville would win 5 of the next 7 points, making the score 17-14 and cause a Crestview timeout. The Lady Knights would make a smally rally, getting it to a 21-19 game, before an Ottoville timeout. In the end though, the Big Green would win a hard-earned 2nd set 25-23.

    An ACE on the serve, by #15 Kinley Crider in a hard fought 2nd set.

    The Lady Knights would get out to a fast start in the 3rd set. They’d get out to a 10-4 lead. The ensuing Big Green timeout, did nothing to stop the momentum though. Crestview would be up 16-8. Lady Knights head coach Tammy Gregory would call a timeout, after a 3rd straight Big Green point, made it 16-11.

    This was a different timeout though. It wasn’t to “stop momentum”. It was a coaching timeout. She was NOT happy with something that happened on that 27th point of the set.

    The girls responded and took the lead to 22-15, forcing a Big Green timeout. As in the 1st set, it would be for naught, as the Lady Knights would win the 3rd set 25-21, and go up 2-1 in the match.

    The game winning point for the Lady Knights, in the 3rd set.

    Crestview would start the 4th set hot, jumping out to an 8-3 lead. Ottoville would be forced to call a timeout, down 12-5. It would work, as the Big Green would win 7 of the next 10 points, and forcing a Crestview timeout, up 15-12.

    Big Green #4 Jenna Suever would score an ACE immediately after the timeout, leading a 3-point streak, that would tie the game at 15-15. The Lady Knights responded with 4 straight points. Not to be outdone, Ottoville answered right back with 4 straight of their own. It was now a 19-19 game.

    Ottoville scored the next point and went up 20-19. Coach Gregory had to use her final timeout.

    The timeout worked, as the Lady Knights would win 4 of the next 5 points, and take a 23-21 lead, forcing Coach Lautzenheiser to call her final timeout as well.

    The Lady Knights would put the Big Green away, winning the 4th set 25-23, and winning the match 3 sets to 1.

    The 4th set and matching winning point for the Crestview Lady Knights on Senior Night.

    After the game I spoke to Crestview Lady Knights head coach Tammy Gregory.

    It was a big win on Senior Night, but Ottoville didn’t make it easy, as it was a very competitive game.

    “We knew that coming in, Kaci knows a lot of the girls very well, and is good friends with them from club volleyball, we knew it was going to be tough.”

    Ottoville played a power style game, and it left the Lady Knights scrambling at times.

    “We have the mindset, that every ball is coming to you. You want to have that confidence that you’re going to be able to handle whatever comes your way.”

    With the regular season drawing to a close, and tournament time coming up; I asked Coach Gregory, what she thinks the team needs to improve on, to “make that tournament run?”

    “We need to be more consistent. We are the team that scores a lot of points, and then gives up a lot of points. It’s just the consistency. We need to do better, and we can do better. I believe in these girls.”

    I tried 10 times to download a picture here, but the “tech team” at WordPress couldn’t figure out why it kept turning sideways. I got tired of their excuses and moved on.

    Leading the way for the Lady Knights……

    erving

    Kaci Gregory 20/21 with 5 aces

    Delanie Balliet 17/17 with 2 aces

    Kinley Crider 13/14 with 3 aces

    Lainey Gardner 11/12 with 1 ace

    Hitting

    Kaci Gregory 13 kills

    Ayla Kreischer 9 kills

    Kenadie Schwartz 8 kills

    Kaylee Owens 7 kills

    Setting

    Nora Perkins 22 assists

    Kinley Crider 21 assists

    Digs

    Delanie Balliet 13 digs

    Kaci Gregory 12 digs

    Ayla Kreischer 9 digs

    Zoe Ross 7 digs

    Blocks

    Kaylee Owens 3 blocks

    A volleyball match featuring two teams shaking hands at the net after the game, with spectators in the background and coaches observing.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats courtesy of…..Tammy Gregory.

  • Crestview Lady Knights Get Their 5th Straight Win Over LCC.

    A volleyball team huddled together on the court, discussing strategy. The players are wearing black and white uniforms with knee pads, showing a mix of engagement and focus.

    After playing most of the season in the Elementary/Middle School gymnasium, the Crestview Lady Knights, finally got to play on their newly renovated home court.

    The Lady Thunderbirds would get the first point of the game. LCC would win the 13th point, on a long rally between the two teams. They would trade points back-and-forth, all the way to an 8-8 tie. LCC would go up briefly 9-8, before the Lady Knights would score 6 straight points to take a 14-9 lead, and force a Thunderbirds timeout. It would all be for naught, as the Knights would dominate the first set, winning 25-12.

    Crestview would get the first point of the second set. Like in the first set, the teams would trade points. The Lady Thunderbirds would take a 6-5 lead, and would keep the lead for most of the set. Crestview head coach Tammy Gregory would call a timeout, after losing the 23rd point of the match, down 13-10.

    The Lady Knights would take the lead at 14-13. LCC would retake the lead, getting it to 20-18. Crestview would score 2 points, and force a LCC timeout. Like in the first set, it wouldn’t work out for the Lady Thunderbirds, as the Lady Knights would win a hard fought second set, 25-22.

    The Lady Knights would get out to a fast start in the third set, jumping to a 4-1. The Lady Thunderbirds would fight back and get it to a 6-6 tie. Crestview would take an 8-6 lead, before the teams trade single points back-and-forth, all the way to a 11-10 game. The Lady Knights would score 4 straight points getting it to 15-10.

    They’d get it to 19-14, and once again, the Lady Thunderbirds would fight back, and take a 20-19 lead. That would force a Crestview timeout. The Lady Knights would take the lead, and never relent, winning the third set 25-23, and sweeping the match 3-0.

    After the game, I asked Lady Knights Head Coach Tammy Gregory about their 5 game winning, and how they’ve kept this energy up, after playing 3 games this week alone.

    “Yeah, it’s a quick turnaround, but the girls know what it takes, and they’re gonna keep battling. We’re back at it Saturday, and we know what we face Saturday is gonna be completely different from what we’ve seen this week. The tempo and the level of play. It’s gonna open our eyes, and it could be a long Saturday. We love the competition, and it’s gonna make us better down the road.”

    I asked her with the regular season coming to an end this month, what does she, the staff, and the girls, need to do, to keep this momentum going.

    “First off, we need to stay healthy. With the change in the weather, we have a couple girls actually dealing with illnesses. We also need to just focus on the little things, and the basics. We can never get enough practice serving. All those fundamental things, the comeback, the backcheck, we know that we gotta be stronger in every area on the board.”

    I noticed that in the first 2 sets, nobody was on the backline. In the third set, there was. I asked if that in-game adjustment was her call.

    “No. A lot of their balls were going long, and the girls read the hitter.”

    Leading the way for the Lady Knights…..

    Serving

    Delanie Balliet 20/20 with 5 aces

    Nora Perkins 10/10 with 3 aces

    Ayla Kreischer 14/14 with 1 ace

    Hitting

    Kaci Gregory 13 kills

    Kaylee Owens 9 kills

    Kenadie Schwartz 9 kills

    Setting

    Nora Perkins 23 assists

    Digs

    Kaci Gregory & Delanie Balliet 7 digs each

    Ayla Kreischer 6 digs

    Blocks

    Kaylee Owens 2 stuff blocks

    Serve Receive

    Kaci Gregory 29/29

    A group of female volleyball players walking on the court, with some teams in uniform and a crowd in the background in a sports arena.

    The Crestview Lady Knights improves to 5-0 in the NWC and 8-5 overall. They will be back in action on Saturday, as they host The Lady Knight Invitational, and will compete in three matches on the day with their first match being the second one at approx. 10am vs Fairbanks.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats courtesy of…..Tammy Gregory

  • Crestview Lady Knights Varsity Volleyball, Win Third Straight Game

    A volleyball team huddles together in a gymnasium, wearing matching uniforms while preparing for the game, with spectators seated in the background.

    For the 2nd time is 24 hours, the Crestview Lady Knights were back on the floor. This time taking on the Delphos Jefferson Wildcats, in Northwest Conference Action.

    Just like Monday night, the Lady Knights got off to a fast start in the first set, scoring the first 6 straight points. The Lady Cats would get their third point on a long rally, and that would start a 5 point streak for the, getting the set to 8-9.

    Again, the team would trade point and mini runs, getting the score to a 13-13 tie. Crestview Head Coach Tammy Gregory would call a timeout with Jefferson up 15-14. They’d win 2 straight coming out of the TO. They’d continue trading, until finally, the Lady Knights would win a very competitive first set, 25-22.

    The 2nd set was like looking in a mirror. The Lady Knights jumped out to a STRONG start, forcing the Lady Cats to call a timeout down 9-2 quickly. Jefferson would get it to 12-7, before Crestview would win a long rally, that had a lot of saves and digs, to go up 13-7.

    It was pure domination by the Lady Knights from that point on, winning the 2nd set by a score of 25-13.

    The Lady Knights would get the first point of the 3rd set, BUT, the Lady Cats, were not going to let them get off to another hot start. Jefferson would take the lead early, at 3-1. They’d trade back and forth, before the Lady Cats would score 3 straight points and going up 9-5. That mini-run would force Knights Head Coach Tammy Gregory to call an early timeout.

    As she talked to her players, all eyes were focused on her. I don’t think any of the players actually blinked, as I watched and listened.

    The timeout worked like gangbusters. It stopped the Lady Cats momentum C-O-L-D, as the Lady Knights would win the next 7 straight points to take a 12-9 lead.

    Crestview #3 Kaci Gregory would make an incredible, one handed, diving save on the 28th point, that the Lady Knights would end up winning and going up 16-12. She is so fun to watch. More on her later.

    Jefferson would call a timeout down 19-15. The Lady Cats would not go quietly. They’d get it as close as 21-18, but the Lady Knights would get the final 3 points and win the 3rd set 25-18, sweeping the match 3-0.

    I spoke with Crestview Lady Knights Head Coach after the match.

    I asked her about the teams 3 game winning streak.

    “I’m happy. It feels good. Our girls feel good. You know, we’re playing different styles of volleyball. We played a lot of MAC opponents early, and they just come and hit at you. In our conference, it’s all different styles, so we just have to be prepared and play whatever style we need to play.”

    Delaine Balliet has been on fire, serving the last 2 games. I asked Coach, if that was something she’s been working on.

    “She’s definitely worked on it, and having to go up against our hitters everyday in practice, really helps with that.”

    I asked Coach about Kaci Gregory, and her diving and the energy she brings to table, and what that means to the rest of the team.

    “They feed off of her. They look at that and play harder for each other. She had three serving errors tonight, which is unlike her, but she went and made plays in other areas, and that shows leadership, and again, they feed off of that.”

    The timeout in that 3rd set, was very timely. I asked Coach about that timeout.

    “We had to squash that. As you know, volleyball is such a game of momentum, and they had the momentum, and we couldn’t let it get anymore out of hand. We had to get that momentum back on our side.”

    A volleyball match conclusion, with players shaking hands at the net. The scoreboard shows a final score of 25-18. Teams in yellow and red/white uniforms are visible in a gymnasium setting.

    Leading the way for the Lady Knights…..

    Serving

    Delanie Balliet 20/21 with 3 aces

    Kenadie Schwartz 11/11 with 1 ace

    Ayla Kreischer 12/12

    Hitting

    Kaci Gregory 15 kills

    Kaylee Owens 8 kills

    Ayla Kreischer 6 kills

    Setting

    Nora Perkins 17 assists

    Kenadie Schwartz 13 assists

    Digs

    Ayla Kresicher 10 digs

    Kaci Gregory & Kenadie Schwartz 7 digs each

    Blocks

    Alecta Baxter 4 stuff blocks

    The Crestview Lady Knights are now 7-5 overall and 4-0 in the NWC. Crestview will be back in action on Thursday Night, as they host LCC in another conference matchup. The JV match will begin at 5:30pm.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats courtesy of…..Tammy Gregory.

  • Crestview Lady Knights Volleyball, Defeat Cross County Rival Van Wert.

    A group of female volleyball players wearing blue and red uniforms is gathered in a huddle, showing enthusiasm and teamwork on the court.

    The Crestview Lady Knights varsity volleyball team, took on their cross county rival, the Van Wert Cougars on Monday night.

    The Lady Knights got out to a fast start in the first set, winning the first 7 points of the set, forcing the Cougars to call a timeout. It worked, as Van Wert would get 3 straight points. The momentum wouldn’t last, as it quickly got to 17-5, and win the first set 25-12.

    The second set was another fast start for the Lady Knights at 5-1. The Cougars would battle back to get it to 6-5, before the Lady Knights would rattle 6 straight points, making it 12-5. The Cougars would sprinkle in a point here and there, but the Lady Knights would dominate the second set, winning 25-8.

    The theme of the night was fast starts by the Lady Knights, as they got 8 straight points to open the third set. The Cougars would not go quietly though, as then responded with 6 straight points of their own, getting it to an 8-6 set. The two teams would trade points, small runs, long rallies, and a lot of digs.

    The Cougars would get it as close as 23-20, before falling to the Lady Knights in 3 straight sets 25-20.

    Leading the way for the Lady Knights…..

    Serving

    Delanie Balliet 18/19 with 4 aces

    Nora Perkins 10/11 with 4 aces

    Kaylee Owens 9/10 with 3 aces

    Kinley Crider 5/5 with 3 aces

    Hitting

    Kaci Gregory 6 kills

    Alecta Baxter 5 kills

    Kaylee Owens 4 kills

    Ella Ream 3 kills

    Setting

    Nora Perkins 11 assists

    Kenadie Schwartz & Kinley Crider 5 assists each

    Digs

    Delanie Balliet 6 digs

    Kaci Gregory 5 digs

    Blocks

    Alecta Baxter 3 stuff blocks

    A group of young female volleyball players in matching uniforms shake hands at the end of a game, with a volleyball net in the background.

    The Lady Knights are now 6-5 on the season, and are right back on the court Tuesday Night in a conference match against the Delphos Jefferson Wildcats. JV game starts at 5:30 PM, with varsity immediately afterwards.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats courtesy of…..Tammy Gregory.

  • Crestview Girls Varsity Volleyball Get Big Win on Homecoming Week.

    A group of young female volleyball players huddled together on a court, wearing matching white uniforms with blue accents, engaged in a team discussion.

    It’s homecoming week for the students at Crestview High School in the small town of Convoy, Ohio.

    You opened the door to the school, and you could hear and see the excitement. The students singing and dancing. Elementary kids running around talking with their friends, while their parents were up in the stands. The smell of popcorn and pizza from the local bar, filled the gymnasium.

    The Knights (4-5) girls varsity volleyball team was playing in front of a home crowd, for the first time in 10 days (4 games), taking on the Bluffton Pirates (10-5), in a Northwest Conference action.

    The first set was a back and forth affair, with both teams trading points and streaks. The Knights would go up 10-9 on a long rally by both teams, with lots of digs and blocks. The Pirates would call a timeout down 12-9. They’d go on a small run, and get the set to 17-16, before forcing the Knights to call a timeout. A Crestview ace, would make it 21-18, and the Pirates would use their last timeout. It would be to no avail, as the Lady Knights would win the first set 25-20.

    A volleyball match in a gymnasium, featuring players in action with a net in the center and spectators on the benches in the background.

    The Lady Knights would start out the 2nd set hot, winning the first 4 points. The Lady Pirates would get on the board after a long rally to make it 4-1. They’d come back and tie it at 5-5. Crestview would get it to 10-7, but again, Bluffton came back to tie it at 10-10. Crestview would call a timeout with the game tied at 18-18, after Bluffton got 4 of 5 points. They’d trade point back and forth, getting it to 22-22. Crestview would score 2 straight, to make it 24-22. A Bluffton timeout would get them a point at 24-23, but the Lady Knights would close it out, winning a hard fought 2nd set 25-23.

    A high school volleyball game in action, featuring a player in mid-jump preparing to hit the ball over the net, while opposing players attempt to block the shot.

    The Lady Pirates however, would not go out quietly. They quickly got out to a 8-3 lead, forcing Knights head coach Tammy Gregory to call an early timeout. The break worked, as they’d get 4 of the next 5 points to make it 9-7. A Bluffton point, then Crestview rattled off 4 straight to take their first lead of the 3rd set 11-10.

    As it was all game long, it would be back and forth. Both teams making hard digs and saves, trading points and short streaks. It was a 17-17 game, when the Lady Pirates would score 3 straight points to make it 20-17. That would force the Knights to use their final timeout of the set.

    Once again, that timeout stopped all the momentum C-O-L-D, as the Crestview Lady Knights would score 7 straight points, and win the 3rd set 25-20, and the match with a 3-0 sweep.

    Scoreboard displaying the final score of a basketball game: Home team 25, Guest team 20, with 1:00 remaining in the third period.

    I spoke with Crestview Lady Knights Head Coach Tammy Gregory after the game.

    “There was so much on the line. We knew that Bluffton would be at the top of the conference at the start of the year, and knew that we could not overlook anybody. I’m so proud of the girls and how they played tonight.”

    I noticed that the Knights had a player, all the way at the back line. That was something I hadn’t seen them do so far this season. I asked Coach Gregory, if that was specific for this game, or would that be a season long change.

    “They’re not a team that’s going to tip a lot, so we were able to move our defense around a bit more. We wanted to make sure that we protected that out of bounds line.”

    A volleyball player in mid-air preparing to serve during a game, with teammates and spectators in the background.

    Leading the way for the Lady Knights in the victory tonight…..

    Serving

    Ayla Kreischer 15/16 with 2 aces

    Kenadie Schwartz 13/14 with 2 aces

    Kaci Gregory 11/13 with 2 aces

    Nora Perkins 14/14 with 1 ace

    Hitting

    Kaci Gregory 12 kills

    Kenadie Schwartz 9 kills

    Ayla Kreischer 8 kills

    Setting

    Nora Perkins 21 assists

    Kenadie Schwartz 9 assists

    Digs

    Kaci Gregory 10 digs

    Ayla Kreischer 8 digs

    Zoe Ross 6 digs

    Blocks

    Alecta Baxter 3 stuff blocks

    Kenadie Schwartz & Ayla Kreischer 2 stuff blocks each.

    A clear plastic cup filled with a layered dessert featuring creamy toppings, chopped pecans, caramel drizzles, and crunchy bits.

    I’d like to thank Daily Dose in Convoy for being a sponsor of the allsportsfan.com Player of the Game.
    For all your special-tea drinks, high protein breakfasts, and snacks, stop into the Daily Dose in Convoy.
    I personally eat and enjoy their Banana Nut Protein Bowl.
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    The Lady Knights are now 5-5 overall and an undefeated 3-0 in Northwest Conference play.

    Their next game is next Monday night, at home against the Van Wert Cougars 1-11 overall and 1-4 in Western Buckeye League.

    JV starts at 5:30 PM, with varsity to start afterwards.

  • Crestview Lady Knights Get Their First Win of the Season.

    The Lady Knights were back at home to start the week, taking on the Minster Wildcats, in their 3rd straight non-conference matchup.

    The teams would trade points back and forth, before the Lady Wildcats rattle off 5 straight points to make it 9-5. Both teams continued to trade points, and it would be an 11-11 tie game. 2 more even point plays, then Minster would go on another 5 point run to make it 18-13.

    The Lady Knights would go on a massive rally, winning the next 9 straight points, and jump out to their first lead of the set, 22-18. The Lady Wildcats would answer back with 3 straight points, forcing Crestview head coach Tammy Gregory to call a timeout, holding onto a 1 point lead at 22-21.

    The break worked out well for them, as they’d win the next 2 straight points, and win the first set 25-22.

    The 2nd set would start out rough for the Lady Knights, as the Lady Wildcats jumped out leads of 7-2 and 10-4 before, once again, Crestview had to call a timeout. Points 9 and 10 for the Lady Wildcats came after the Lady Knights, committed back-to-back net infractions.

    Minster would win the next point, with Crestview making a substitution. Crestview would bring it to 13-7, before a LONG rally between the teams, which had multiple digs and saves. The Lady Wildcats would win this point, and the fans from both teams applauded the efforts of the ladies.

    Minster would get the score up to 17-11, before the Lady Knights would get rallies of 3 straight and 4 straight, to make it 19-18, and force the Lady Wildcats to call a timeout. Once again, the teams would trade points, as an ACE by the Knights would tie it up at 22-22, and Minster would call its final timeout. It would be for naught, as the Lady Knights would win the last 3 straight points and win the 2nd set 25-22.

    The Lady Knights would start off the 3rd set with 3 straight points, forcing Minster to call an early timeout. The Lady Wildcats would score 2 straight coming out of the break.

    The Lady Knights answered right back with 5 straight points of their own, making it a 9-2 lead. Both teams would trade points and small 2 point rallies, before Minster called their last timeout down 15-7.

    The break would work for them, as they scored 4 straight points, forcing Crestview to call a timeout with a 15-7 lead. The Lady Wildcats would never recover, and they would eventually lose the 3rd and final set 25-18, for a straight sets victory.

    It is the first win of the season for the Lady Knights, who are now 1-2.

    After the game, I spoke to Crestview Lady Knights head Coach Tammy Gregory.

    I asked her how she and the team felt, to finally get that first win of the season.

    “It feels good. It was really good for our confidence. You look at our schedule, and we face a state ranked team in Coldwater on Tuesday, and we played with a lot of confidence tonight”.

    I asked her about the rallies by both teams. What she says to the girls, when those momentum swings happen.

    “We practice those a lot actually. we know there are a couple of rotations that we struggle with more than others. It’ll be the same thing with every team we face. We just got to practice, and we’ll get that trust, and it’ll pop, and come up looking great”.

    Leading the way for the Lady Knights…

    Serving

    Kaci Gregory 11/11 with 1 ace

    Delanie Balliet 10/10 with 1 ace

    Ayla Kreischer 14/15 with 2 aces

    Kenadie Schwartz 17/18 with 1 ace

    Hitting

    Kaci Gregory 13 kills

    Alecta Baxter & Kaylee Owens 5 kills each

    Ayla Kreischer & Kenadie Schwartz 4 kills each

    Setting

    Nora Perkins 17 assists

    Kinley Crider 8 assists

    Digs

    Ayla Kreischer 12 digs

    Kaci Gregory 10 digs

    Blocks

    Alecta Baxter, Kaylee Owens, Kenadie Schwartz 2 stuff blocks each

    The Lady Knights have a quick turnaround, as they return to action tomorrow night at Coldwater, with JV starting things off at 5:30 PM.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats courtesy of…..Tammy Gregory.

  • Lady Knights Drop Home Opener To Lady Panthers.

    Walking into the hallway of Crestview, I was immediately greeted by the smell of popcorn and pizza. Which was such a kick in the pants, since my doctors put me on a strict diet. LOL.

    Kids were running around the hallway, full of energy adults wish they had. Parents chatting like they hadn’t seen each other since…. Friday night’s football game.

    The Crestview Lady Knights Volleyball team were opening their season at home, against the Paulding Panthers, in a non-conference game.

    With the high school gymnasium under renovation until late September, the games are being played in the middle school. Despite that, it was a full house. Old and young, even some former players stopped by for the game.

    The Lady Panthers went up quickly 3-0 in the first set, and didn’t let up at all, winning it easily, 25-13.

    The second set started with both teams at one point apiece, when the floor official stopped play, called both of the team captains over to him, and had some words. There was a lot of net entanglements, and a small bit of chatter.

    Afterwards, the teams traded points back and forth. Crestview scored 3 straight points, before Paulding called a timeout down 13-11. They continued to trade points, until Crestview called at timeout, up 19-18. The Lady Knights would end up winning the 2nd set 25-23.

    The Panthers would jump out to a 6-0 lead, forcing Knights head coach Tammy Gregory to call a timeout early.

    The two huddles were completely different. Gregory was calmly coaching her girls, using her hands to show proper bump techniques and overhands.

    Panthers head coach Emily Taylor was enthusiastic and praising her girls for such a hot start.

    Unfortunately, for the Lady Knights, the timeout did not stop the momentum right away, as the Lady Panthers promptly made it a 13-2 game. Finally, Crestview would go on their own run, as they’d score 6 straight points, forcing a Panthers timeout.

    The Knights would get the score to 16-13, before Paulding would play the Reverse Uno card, and rattle off 4 straight to make it 20-16. Nothing would work for the Knights afterwards, dropping the 3rd set 25-16.

    The 4th set would start off with more point trading. The Lady Knights would win a long rally, where both teams showed off tremendous athleticism and stamina, to make it a 3-3 score.

    Paulding would win the next point and never let up the rest of the way.

    Crestview made it close a few times, cutting the lead to 13-12, 18-16, and 20-17. The Panthers were simply too relentless. Scoring the final 5 points and winning the match 25-17.

    I spoke to Crestview Head Coach Tammy Gregory after the game. I asked her what positives, she and the team could take away from the loss.

    “We were at a size disadvantage. We were struggling with their size and aggressive attacks. I’m going to go to that third game of the match. You know, we were down, and we could’ve folded very easily, but we fought back.”

    There are only 2 seniors on this team. However, a lot of the underclassman, got significant playing time last season. I asked if she expected their continued improvement to really help the team as the season continues.

    “I think they’re going to step into their roles very well. What I like about this team, is they have good mentorship and they’re competitors. They have that team chemistry, their drive, and they’re there for each other. They’re going to get better, and they have the drive for that work.”

    Leading the way for the Lady Knights…

    Serving

    Kaci Gregory 13/14 with 2 aces

    Lainey Gardner 11/12 with 1 ace

    Nora Perkins 10/11 with 1 ace

    Ayla Kreischer 10/11 with 1 ace

    Hitting

    Kaci Gregory 16 kills

    Kenadie Schwartz 8 kills

    Ayla Kreischer 7 kills

    Setting

    Nora Perkins 30 assists

    Digs

    Kaci Gregory 12 digs

    Ayla Kreischer 8 digs

    Nora Perkins 6 digs

    Blocks

    Kaylee Owens 2 blocks

    Kenadie Schwartz 2 blocks

    The Crestview Lady Knights are back on the court this Thursday, as they travel to New Bremen, in another non-conference matchup.

    – Sean McKenzie

    Stats courtesy of…..Tammy Gregory.