Lady Indians Finish One Set Shy of State Title Match Berth
by STEVE WILMOTH
TriCitiesSports.com
October 17, 2018
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- One set.
Up by two sets over Siegel, Dobyns-Bennett needed just a victory in any of three sets that would follow against the Stars to claim a spot opposite Brentwood in the Class AAA State Volleyball Championship match.
Unfortunately, a long days work that began with a four-set win over Cookeville, followed with a sweep of Houston and continued with rallies to earn the first two sets against Siegel, seemed to have taxed the Lady Indians who saw the Stars rally for a 20-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19, 15-3 victory.
The defeat ends the season for Dobyns-Bennett at 40-5 and one set short of earning their first spot in the championship match since 2010 and playing for their first state title since 2009.
“Even though it didn’t end how we wanted, I am such a proud coach,” said D-B coach Megan Devine, who was bidding to become a state champion as a player and a coach.
“These girls have worked so hard this season and are true champions. I am so thankful for the memories we have made together and this season will never be forgotten.”
The Lady Indians trailed 14-10 in the first set against Siegel but a 9-2 spurt gave D-B a 19-16 advantage on their way to the 25-20 win.
The Stars led 19-11 in the second set only see the Lady Tribe close the frame with a 14-4 run to take the two-set lead.
Again in the third, it was Siegel with the early advantage only to see the Lady Indians push back. This time the Stars were able to respond and snatch the set.
Likewise in the fourth, Siegel forged ahead, 15-9. Once again, Dobyns-Bennett responded with five straight to close to 15-14. The Stars, however, rolled off nine straight to eventually win the set and even the match.
Siegel simply dominated the fifth frame in eliminating the Lady Indians.
Hannah Watson paced Dobyns-Bennett with 18 kills. Staley Humphries added 11 kills to go with 31 digs. Chloe Harless came up with 28 digs and Rylee Waye dished out 47 assists.
The day started with a victory over Cookeville. After sleeping through the first set, the Lady Indians scored a 9-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-21 victory.
Courtney Whitson and Hannah Watson both had 14 kills against the Eagles. Waye handed out 41 assists and Harless fetched 26 digs to go with three service aces.
The Lady Indians then quickly dispatched of Houston, 25-17, 25-14, 25-20.
Whitson whipped another 14 kills with Caroline Cable adding ten. Waye had 39 assists, Harless 17 digs, Humphries 16 digs and Carly Shell ten digs.
2018 TSSAA STATE VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
October 16-18, 2018
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
CLASS AAA
Tuesday, October 16 - Siegel High School
Game 1 - Brentwood def. Dobyns-Bennett, 25-21, 25-16, 25-17
Game 2 - Station Camp def. Houston, 25-23, 25-19, 13-25, 17-25, 15-12
Game 3 - Cookeville def. Collierville, 25-18, 25-22, 25-20
Game 4 - Siegel def. Heritage, 25-21, 21-25, 20-25, 25-16, 15-7
Game 5 - Brentwood def. Houston, 25-15, 25-18, 25-20
Game 6 - Siegel def. Cookeville, 25-22, 25-13, 26-24
Game 7 - Dobyns-Bennett def. Station Camp, 23-25, 25-11, 25-19, 27-25 - Station Camp eliminated
Game 8 - Heritage def Colliervile, 25-21, 25-18, 21-25, 23-25, 15-11 - Collierville eliminated
Wednesday, October 17 - Blackman High School
Game 9 - Dobyns-Bennett def. Cookeville, 9-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-21 - Cookeville eliminated
Game 10 - Houston def. Heritage, 25-20, 27-25, 25-12 - Heritage eliminated
Game 11 - Brentwood def. Siegel, 21-25, 25-16, 25-13, 25-16
Game 12 - Dobyns-Bennett def. Houston, 25-17, 25-14, 25-20 - Houston eliminated
Game 13 - Siegel def. Dobyns-Bennett, 20-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-19, 15-3 - Dobyns-Bennett eliminated
Thursday, October 18 - The Murphy Center
Championship - Brentwood (46-3) vs Siegel (30-14), 4:00 p.m.