By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Lady Pioneers win two
WCHSvsCoffee20190926_0026.jpg
Photo courtesy of Painted Barn Media Samantha Jennings skies high for a stuff during Thursday's tri-match. WCHS defeated Covenant, but fell to Coffee County.
WCHSvsCoffeevsCA20190926_0129.jpg
Photo courtesy of Painted Barn Media Freshman Jessie Young brings the heat during Warren County's match against Covenant.

The Lady Pioneers are back to their winning ways.

The Warren County High School volleyball team closed out the week winning two of its last three matches, beating Franklin County Tuesday and toppling Covenant at home Thursday in a tri-match. The Lady Pioneers fell in the second part of the tri-match to Coffee County.

Warren County (12-15) had been in a funk recently, but busted out in a big way against Franklin County. The Lady Pioneers won in straight sets, 25-22, 25-8 and 25-9. It carried over against Covenant Thursday during a 25-11, 25-16 victory in the cross-town match.

Despite taking a loss against Coffee County – 25-18, 19-25 and 24-26 – first-year coach Kelly Clayborne may have been most impressed by her team’s play against the Lady Raiders.

“Coffee County is a very big, strong team,” said Clayborne. “I was very pleased with our net play. Madison (Hollis), Sam (Jennings) and Beth (Vaughn) played their best net game. We couldn’t pull out the win, but I was pleased with the overall play. The team’s energy and communication was better.”

The trio of big blockers on the front line helped Warren County collect 19 blocks, seven each coming from Jennings and Hollis. The duo also led the team in kills, with Jennings tallying eight and Hollis finishing with four.

Danika Reno was also a vital part in the close call, flying around the back end and keeping the ball in play. The sophomore finished with 12 digs against the hard-hitting Lady Raiders.

Serving helped the Lady Pioneers pick apart Franklin County on the road Tuesday. Jennings and Sadie Simmons each finished with five aces, while Reno was right behind with four. For the match, Warren County peppered the Franklin County defense with 19 aces.

The young Lady Pioneers took center stage against Covenant. Juju Pyburn had her best game of the season, finishing with three aces, two digs and one kill. Bella Cantrell added six assists, while freshmen Mia Hobbs (one dig, one kill, one block) and Jessie Young (three digs, one kill, one ace) made a big impression.

Warren County will get another shot at Coffee County Monday on the road. The Lady Pioneers are set to take the court at 5:30 p.m. in Manchester.