Slow Starting Lady 'Devils Roar Past Union in Four
by ALLEN GODSEY
TriCitiesSports.com
September 10, 2019
GATE CITY, Va. -- The Gate City Blue Devils coughed up the first set to defending Mountain Seven District champion Union, but roared back to win three straight for a 12-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-21 victory over the Bears.
The Lady 'Devils sported a great defensive effort to slow the Union attack and finally got the offense going in the second set.
"We've got to put the ball down," said Gate City coach Amy Reed. "The first set we wanted to get a feel for the match. Our girls then settled down and played like they are capable of."
After the first set loss Gate City came back with a vengeance in the second frame. With the Lady Blue Devils ahead 9-8 and Lexie Summers at the service line Gate City ran off ten unanswered points to lead 19-8 on its way to evening the match at a set each.
Tied in the third set 12-12, Gate City (2-2, 1-0) went on a 4-0 run to lead 16-12. With the Lady Blue Devils in front 18-16 they outscored Union 7-1 the rest of the way to take a 2-1 set lead.
Kinslee Hammonds led Gate City in the stanza with with six of her 11 kills on the night. The senior also added three blocks.
"I think it took a while for us to get on our feet tonight," said Hammonds. "Our team was really motivated tonight, the best it has been this season. We've worked hard and played as a team tonight."
The final set was hard fought. Gate City led early and was ahead 15-10, only to see Union fight back with straight to tie the score.
Up by just one, 20-19, the Lady Blue Devils outscored Union 5-2 down the stretch to clinch the match.
"I was pleased with our leadership tonight," Reed added. "We did a good job keeping our composure, that's part of growing up. We just want to get better faster and stronger the rest of the season."
Junior Sarah Thompson, who saw her first action of the season because of a foot injury, had three kills that helped Gate City take control of the final game late.
Sophomore Ashley Stanley came up big for Gate City with nine kills, five digs and eleven assists. Sophomore Bel Sallee contributed nine kills and two blocks.
Libero Lexie Summers did the dirty work, coming up with 31 digs.
"The start of our season hasn't been what we wanted," said Summers, "Tonight was just the beginning. I'm very proud of all my team members, they played their hearts out..
Union (7-3, 0-1) was led by seniors Emily Brooks with 22 kills and 18 digs, and Jayda Smith with 12 kills and 15 digs. f
"We knew Brooks and Smith would get their kills," noted Reed. "We were able to counter with some good offense and also played good defense.
Freshman Isabella Blagg had 23 digs and senior Krista Meredith came up with 11 digs for the Bears.
"We relaxed after the first game win," said Union coach Kim Moore, "You can't come into Gate City and not fight for every point and hope to win. I didn't see the usual fight in our girls tonight, we've got work to do."