GREYHOUND VOLLEYBALL
It was not without its nailbiting moments, but the Volley Hounds took a historic next step last Tuesday. Hosting a region match for the first time, a 2-1 match victory against Warner Robins sealed the first such win against a region opponent in program history.
Down 1-0 after losing the first game 25-7 to the Demons, Jones County keyed in on starting strong. That focus paid dividends quickly with a 6-1 lead following a kill by Georgia Anderson. After Warner Robins cut the lead to 8-5, that advantage was sustained on two blocks in a row by the Lady Hounds with an 11-6 lead, helping to a 21-17 lead an eventual 25-20 lead win to force a third game.
The Lady Greyhounds (10-4, 1-1) started fast, lead 4-0 by way of serves by Paige Pieterick.
“In games of 15, winning the serve is crucial,” Lady Hounds head coach Lonnie Wheeler said. “If Warner Robins had won the toss, it might been in reverse, so we’re glad for that opportunity.”
After a service error by Warner Robins and a pair of blocks by Anderson, JCHS appeared to be closing in on the match win, up 9-3, especially after a Jade Hipps serve made it 12-3. But Warner Robins rallied, going on a run to lead 13-12.
“We were discombobulated; I’m glad that we got it together,” Wheeler said. “I was hoping going in that we could get the win against Warner Robins. We kept the faith, and things came around a little bit.”
Jones County had to dig deep for the win and did just that, tying it 13-13 before Madison Maxwell registered the final three points from her service position for a 15-13 win as JCHS won the match 2-1. “I’m just excited because it’s my senior year and last year playing,” Maxwell said.
“I was able to make three under-pressure serves in a row and won the game for us. I’m proud of myself and so happy.”
Jones County, which fell by scores of 25-15 and 25-8 to Eagles Landing last Tuesday as well, wrapped up last week with another comeback win over Tattnall with two wins in three matches. Having lost the first game 25-15, a 25-12 win forced a third game where Pieterick served the Lady Hounds to a 15-0 win.
The Lady Hounds play this Thursday at Stratford and next Tuesday at Ace Charter.
