Knoxville News Sentinel: Weary Karns Overcomes Obstacles

[Volley2]

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/sep/0 ... obstacles/

 

 

CLINTON - The Karns High School volleyball team battled tired legs, remnants of the flu bug and a talented Oak Ridge team Tuesday night.

 

Despite the myriad of obstacles, the Lady Beavers dug down deep to rally in both games for a 25-21, 25-17 District 3-AAA win.

 

Coach Kynette Williams' team is fresh off an appearance in the prestigious Porter-Guad Invitational in Charleston, S.C., over the Labor Day weekend.

 

Karns, despite having players overcoming the flu and strep, advanced to the championship match in the tournament where the Lady Beavers dropped a 25-23, 25-27, 14-16 decision to Ashley Hall, an all-girls' school in Charleston.

 

That's the only loss of the season for Karns (20-1), which is one of PrepXtra's top-rated teams.

 

"We're tired and we kind of limped through that (Oak Ridge match) - but obviously we can come from lots of points down," said Williams, whose Lady Beavers overcame deficits of 19-12 in the first game and 8-4 in the second.

 

"We got down a little bit and were just fighting the whole game," Karns middle hitter Ashley Ferris said.

 

The 6-foot-2 Ferris, a junior, had 10 kills, 11 points and two blocks.

 

Ferris and 6-1 Kelsey Handel, another junior, give the Lady Beavers a potent 1-2 punch that Williams rotates in the middle.

 

"Some days it's Kelsey that's on and some days it's Ashley," Williams said. "My best dream is both of them are on," she laughed.

 

Defensive specialist and outside hitter Mallory Bonee also had a stat-stuffer night with 12 points, 10 hits, nine digs and three aces. Setter Lauren Bonee recorded five aces and five points.

 

Outside hitter Caitlin Glennen and defender Corrie Walker are two of only three seniors for the junior-dominated Lady Beavers.

 

"Those are my veterans and team captains. Caitlin leads on the frontcourt and Corrie leads on the backcourt."

 

Junior libero Courtney Smith, a 5-1 dynamo, is another key player for Karns.

 

Williams, who has coached Karns since 2002, said the beauty of her team is that any one of her players can be the star on any given night.

 

"Teams usually have one big superstar - we don't have that. We're all doing our part. The biggest thing about this team is we have a lot of unity. These kids are close on and off the court. Of all the years I've been coaching this is probably the best-unified and cohesive team I've had."

 

If things unfold as planned, this also could be the first Karns team to advance to the state tournament. The Lady Beavers have been involved in sub-state play three times under Williams.

 

Mike Blackerby is a freelance contributor.