Lady Vikings Get Emotional Sweep of D-B in Johnson's Return to Viking Hall
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
August 22, 2017
BRISTOL, Tenn. – More precious than gold.
That’s what Tuesday’s Big 6 Conference volleyball sweep of Dobyns-Bennett meant to the Tennessee High Lady Vikings and returning head coach Mary Johnson Tuesday evening.
The 25-19, 25-17, 25-23 victory coupled with Science Hill’s win at Volunteer moves Tennessee High (9-0, 2-0) into sole possession of first place in the early season league race and ran the Lady Vikings’ season-opening winning streak to nine straight matches.
“It was a good sweep for us,” said Lady Viking senior Adison Minor. “It makes a statement for our conference this year.”
For Johnson, who was just named to coach the Lady Vikings two weeks ago after stepping aside thre years ago, it was an emotional return to Viking Hall sidelines, her first home match since 2014.
“I was very emotional before the game started about stepping on the floor again,” said Johnson. “It was emotional for me and it was emotional for the girls. Even though I haven’t been on the floor in three years and I just learned the names of about half of them two weeks ago, I told them, ‘I believe in you and you believe in me and we’ll all do this together’ and they’ve bought into it.”
Minor and Lexie Worley are the only current Lady Vikings with experience with Johnson. Both saw playing time during the 2014 season.
“She’s a very intense coach,” said Minor of Johnson. “She has us working very hard in practice, working to be prepared for the next match.
“It’s good coming onto to the court knowing we are a strong team again. That had a lot to do with this game today.”
The Lady Vikings were coming off a championship in the Play4Gold Tournament at the Rocky Top Sports Complex in Gatlinburg this past weekend. Johnson said the seven match victories that came without dropping a single set, were instrumental against the defending league champions.
“These girls needed confidence,” noted Johnson. “They didn’t have the best year last year. They needed to come into this game with a winning attitude.”
Tennessee High jumped out to an early lead in the first set and finished off a 25-19 victory. The Lady Vikings continued their emotional play in set number two, forging leads of 10-5, 14-6 and 18-10 before finishing off the 25-17 victory to move ahead two sets to none.
“Tennessee High was ready to go out of the gate, defending their home court,” said Dobyns-Bennett coach Megan Devine. “They did an amazing job and played outstanding.
“We did not come ready to play and we backed off. That was the plain and simple.”
The Lady Indians (3-1, 2-1) did hold the advantage for the majority of the third set however, and led by as many as five at 13-8 and 15-10.
But the Lady Vikings forged ties at 16, 18, 19, 20 and 22 before finally taking their first lead of the frame at 23-22 on Jessie Dollinger’s laser to the corner. A point later, Dollinger finished off the match with another winner.
“I didn’t even mind being down in that third set,” said Johnson. “You have to learn how to come from behind. When the chips are down how hard are you going to fight?”
Hannah Watson led Dobyns-Bennett with eight kills and three blocks. Abby Byington delivered six kills and had three rejections as well. McCoy Hensley added seven kills.
Chloe Harless led the Lady Indian defense with 21 digs, Staley Humphries came up with 14 and Rylee Waye seven. Waye also had seven assists while Jessie McReynolds dished out 11 assists.
“They served us aggressive and we couldn’t get the pass, couldn’t get in a rhythm,” added Devine. “I thought my setters did really well tonight and Hannah and Abby are forces at the net. But it’s hard to set them when you don’t have the pass. That’s the most frustrating part of it all.”
Minor and Carley Williams led Tennessee High with nine kills. Dollinger finished with six.
“Jessie (Dollinger) is a silent assassin,” continued Johnson. “And Adison is a leader on the floor right now. I wanted to be a part of her journey this year.”
Lexie Worley had nine digs, Williams made five blocks and Erin Walker handed out 20 assists.
“This is a blessing for me right now,” added Johnson. “I feel rejuvenated. And it’s all because of these girls. I only came back for this team. You can see their potential and they work hard on the court and off the court. They are just good kids.”
Viking Hall - BRISTOL, TN
August 22, 2017
Photographer: Eddy Gray
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