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Tag: Kaci 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.

  • Lady Knights with another tough test at home.

    Coach Gregory talking to the Crestview Lady Knights volleyball team during a timeout, with players in red jerseys huddled together on the court.

    Coach Gregory and the Lady Knights once again were back at The Ray with a tough matchup against the Coldwater Cavaliers. Whoever made the schedule, certainly made the home openers of the season tough, as Coldwater are the defending state champions.

    It was a nice turnout at The Ray, as over 100 Crestview and Coldwater students, parents, and fans showed up to cheer on the young ladies (by my hand count). It’s been a pleasant surprise to see how much the community supports all the Crestivew Knights athletic teams.

    Crestview got the first point of the game in a competitive first set, before falling 25-20.

    Crestview Lady Knights volleyball team preparing for a match with coaches and players on the court.

    The Lady Cavaliers got off to a fast start in the second set, forcing Crestview timeouts with the Lady Knights down 11-5 and 16-12. The Lady Knights had a small rally forcing Coldwater to take a timeout up 20-16.

    The Cavaliers rallied back, forcing Coach Gregory to use a timeout, down 23-16, before the Coldwater won the second set 25-19.

    Once again, the Lady Cavaliers started the third set fast, jumping out to a dominate 20-9 lead. The Lady Knights stormed back, scoring six of the next eight points, forcing a Coldwater timeout, up 22-15.

    A volleyball player in a red jersey prepares to serve in a match, with a crowd of spectators in the background.

    It was just not to be again on this night, as the Lady Knights would fall 25-18, losing the match in straight sets.

    The Lady Knights were led by senior Lillie Best who went 9/10 serving with 2 aces, as well as 7 kills.

    Freshmen Nora Perkins got a lot of playing time, and played well, going 9/9 on serves and had 7 assists.

    Junior Kaci Gregory led the team with a whooping 16 digs. She was diving and flying around all over the floor. It’s fun to watch her play.

    Senior Haley McCoy had 4 kills and 2 blocks.

    Senior Emily Lichtle had 12 assists and is the most vocal player on the floor, so far this season.

    Volleyball teams Crestview Lady Knights and Coldwater Cavaliers shaking hands after the match in a gymnasium.

    Crestview JV Lady Knights fell in straight set as well (25-11 and 25-20).

    The Lady Knights (1-2) travel north on US-49 to take on the Antwerp Archers (1-5) on Thursday afternoon. JV kicks it all off at 5:30 PM at the Antwerp high school gym.

    Coach Gregory was unavailable for a post-match interview.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats courtesy of……Crestview Head Coach Tammy Gregory.